In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Washington Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have mutually agreed to part ways, capping a rollercoaster two-year stint that saw both euphoric highs and crushing lows. The decision, finalized after a meeting between Kingsbury and head coach Dan Quinn on January 6, 2026, marks the end of an era that began with so much promise but ultimately fell short of expectations in its sophomore year.
Kingsbury, who was hailed as a perfect fit for Washington in 2024, helped orchestrate one of the most remarkable turnarounds in franchise history. That season, the Commanders finished 12-5, stunned the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round, and reached their first NFC Championship Game since 1991. The offense, built around rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, was electric—ranking seventh in total yards and fifth in scoring. Daniels, under Kingsbury’s tutelage, completed 69% of his passes, shattered the rookie quarterback rushing record with 891 yards, and earned the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. As Daniels said just this week, “I love working with Kliff. Me and him have a special relationship. We kind of built that over these past two years, and I just wish I was out there more to play for him this past year.”
But the 2025 campaign was a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. Plagued by injuries at nearly every key position—Daniels himself missed 10 games due to knee, hamstring, and elbow issues—the Commanders’ offense never found its rhythm. Running back Austin Ekeler, top receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, and tight end Zach Ertz all missed significant time. The full starting offense, as originally envisioned, didn’t take the field together until Week 14, and that was the last time they’d do so all season.
The results were predictably disappointing. Washington limped to a 5-12 finish, ranking 22nd in both yards and points on offense. Their scoring average plummeted to 20.9 points per game, while third-down conversions and passing yards fell into the league’s bottom third. “I think when you go through these seasons, it’s always best to start with yourself, point at yourself and then figure out what you could do better and then collectively what we could do better,” Kingsbury reflected ahead of the team’s Week 18 win over the Eagles. “But there’s a ton of different decisions I wish we would’ve made and I would’ve made more, just like individual play calls than anything … trying to slow the games down, limit possessions, do things of that nature.”
Behind the scenes, reports began to surface about a philosophical disconnect between Kingsbury and new general manager Adam Peters, particularly regarding the development of Jayden Daniels. While Kingsbury’s system—an inventive blend of Air Raid concepts, run-pass options, and up-tempo play—had unlocked Daniels’ potential in 2024, the front office and coaching staff seemed less aligned on the path forward after a season derailed by injuries and inconsistency.
It wasn’t just the offense that struggled. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who followed Quinn from Dallas in 2024, was also dismissed on January 6. Whitt’s defense, which had shown promise the previous year, completely unraveled in 2025. The Commanders finished dead last in yards allowed and 27th in points allowed, a dramatic fall from 13th and 18th, respectively, in 2024. After a string of blowout losses, Whitt was stripped of play-calling duties following Week 11, with Quinn taking over. Yet, the defense’s woes persisted—missed tackles, blown coverages, and communication breakdowns became weekly occurrences. As Whitt bluntly acknowledged, “It’s about winning and playing well, and we haven’t done that. That’s the bottom line.”
The coaching shake-up didn’t stop there. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, who joined the staff in 2024, was also let go. The Commanders now face the daunting task of hiring both an offensive and defensive coordinator for the sixth time in ten seasons. For head coach Dan Quinn, entering his third year at the helm, the pressure is on to find the right mix of leadership, innovation, and stability to return Washington to playoff contention.
Despite the disappointing finish, Kingsbury’s reputation as an offensive mind and quarterback developer remains untarnished. His track record speaks for itself: he’s helped mold the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Johnny Manziel, and most recently, Jayden Daniels. After serving as a senior offensive analyst at USC in 2023, Kingsbury rebuilt his NFL standing in Washington and is now considered a top candidate for head coaching jobs across the league. According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, “Sources say Kliff Kingsbury is expected to interview with the Giants and Titans — among others — for their open HC positions.”
The timing couldn’t be better for Kingsbury. All six current NFL head coach openings feature teams with young quarterbacks or the potential to draft one: the New York Giants (Jaxson Dart), Tennessee Titans (Cam Ward), Atlanta Falcons (Michael Penix), Cleveland Browns (Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel), Las Vegas Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals. The Raiders, holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, are widely expected to select a new franchise quarterback. Any team looking to groom a young signal-caller will surely have Kingsbury at the top of their list, whether as a head coach or offensive coordinator.
Meanwhile, speculation swirls in Washington about where the franchise goes next. Will Dan Quinn assume defensive play-calling duties himself, or will the Commanders pursue an up-and-coming assistant or a seasoned veteran like Raheem Morris, Jeff Ulbrich, or Brian Flores? As for the offense, the search begins for a coordinator who can both nurture Jayden Daniels’ growth and navigate the inevitable adversity that comes with an NFL season.
For Kingsbury, the future is wide open. As he put it in his final press conference before departing Washington, “I’ll cross that bridge, when and if we get there.” One thing’s for sure: after a dramatic exit from the nation’s capital, he won’t be waiting long for his next opportunity.
With sweeping changes underway and a restless fan base eager for answers, the Commanders enter the 2026 offseason at a crossroads—hoping that the next chapter brings the stability and success they’ve been chasing for decades.
