Following a dismal season, and a brief period of reflection, the Washington Commanders quickly parted ways with Kliff Kingsbury. The list of possible replacements to lead Jayden Daniels into 2026 was long, with more than one writer or analyst predicting that with his job on the line, Dan Quinn would not risk selecting a rookie candidate for the position:
Quinn ultimately proved them wrong as he selected an internal candidate, David Blough. While the young coach has multiple years of experience leading NFL offenses as a quarterback, Blough only has two years of coaching experience and none calling plays. While there is a certainly an air of hope surrounding the hire, there is also some significant trepidation as well. Adam Peters and Dan Quinn have gambled a lot on the potential wunderkind, so it would be in their best interest to provide Blough plenty of support in his inaugural season.
Part of the effort will involve working to retain key members of the coaching staff, especially veteran run game coordinator and running backs coach Anthony Lynn, but the Commanders front office may also take additional steps to ensure his success. The expectation for Blough this season will be to unlock the full potential of the team’s draft picks, but adding more playmakers to the offense can only increase Blough’s odds of success. Adam Peters does have several picks in the draft and a substantial amount of cap space to use in this endeavor, but the challenge comes from the dearth of talent on the other side of the ball. The defense is also in dire need of playmakers and serviceable depth across the board.
Peters will have to be judicious with the resources he allocates to David Blough’s offense, so with that in mind, let’s take a look at three potential free agents that might catch his eye as possible fits for David Blough’s new offense.
Kalif Raymond
We start with a player that doesn’t necessarily raise the ceiling of the Commanders WR room but does offer Blough a familiar face. Raymond and David overlapped one another on the Detroit Lions roster in 2021, under the direction of Anthony Lynn, and again in 2023 under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Kalif spent multiple years in Ben Johnson’s offense, enjoying a career year in 2022, recording 47 receptions for 616 yds and 1 TD while earning second-team All-Pro honors for his performance on special teams.
Only staff inside Washington’s organization know exactly what type of scheme David Blough is going to run, but it is a safe bet that Raymond will be familiar with a good portion of the play calls and associated concepts. The veteran may prove valuable in installing a new playbook for a young WR room. Also, while his best days might be behind him, Raymond still offers value as a versatile wide receiver that can play the X, Y, and slot roles in Ben Johnson’s offense and be a plus in the return game. Raymond is not the WR2 Washington’s offense desperately needs, but with a projected one-year salary of $3.45 million, the veteran wide receiver would offer a cheap replacement for Deebo Samuel and a safe floor if Jaylin Lane fails to take the next step. Additionally, he would give Larry Izzo a replacement punt returner that isn’t a cornerback with little to no experience on returns. As Dan Campbell outlined in 2024, Kalif adds additional comfort for any offensive coordinator and he could be especially helpful to an inexperienced Blough:
“[Raymond] is receiver three right now,” Campbell confidently stated. “The idea has always been we love Leaf [Raymond] as a returner and Leaf brings a different skill set to the receiver position. He’s got a little gadgetry, he’s got some quickness underneath, and he’s a returner. To maximize both, boy you’d love 20 plays a game, 25 plays a game. So, we’d rather not play him 65 plays a game, but we will if we have to. So yeah, he’s receiver three right now and that’s fine. But that’s why it would be nice to have somebody step up (in the WR-X role) because that just helps the room and I think it makes everybody a little more potent, that’s all. And yes, we trust Leaf. Very much.”
Rachaad White
One of the few things fans can be certain about regarding the 2026 offense is that Dan Quinn wants to prioritize “blitz pickups, the running game, and third downs.” Bill Merritt is the only running back currently under contract for next season, and while he had an impressive rookie season, the seventh-round pick has some work to do in the passing game. The same could be said for restricted free agent Chris Rodriguez. Jeremy McNichols certainly deserves a nod for his role as a third-down back last season, but the absence of Austin Ekeler was apparent, and with the rumors of David Blough installing more West Coast concepts, an upgrade at running back is needed. Enter Jayden Daniels’ former teammate, Rachaad White. At twenty-six years old, White has indicated he will test free agency for the first time in his career in March. White has recorded two seasons with over a 1,000 yards from scrimmage and is generally considered one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. Since 2023, White is No. 3 in receiving touchdowns (nine), No. 3 in yards after catch (1,253), No. 5 in receiving yards (1,027), and No. 5 in receptions (130) among NFL running backs. He is one of four players with 10-plus rushing touchdowns and 10-plus receiving touchdowns since 2022, joining Christian McCaffrey, De’Von Achane, and Deebo Samuel Jr.
Along with his receiving ability, White is also an explosive rusher, but his most valuable quality to David Blough and Jayden Daniels may be his proficiency in pass protection. Look for Blough’s offense to utilize more five-step drops and a variety of trick plays in 2026. Both require time and additional protection for the quarterback, which Rachaad White has proven he can provide:
Fans might think a running back with White’s profile would break the bank, but Rachaad’s stock may suffer from losing his starting job to Bucky Irving and a free agency that boasts names like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, and Travis Etienne. Spotrac estimates he will be awarded a two-year, 14.7 million dollar deal this offseason with an AAV of $7.2 million. Certainly not a budget deal, but the associated costs may well be worth the value White would provide both Jayden Daniels and David Blough as they seek to improve the backfield.
Chigozeim Okonkwo
A traditional West Coast offense also calls for a tight end that is not only a strong blocker but also big, versatile, and who excels in short-to-intermediate crossing routes and creating yards after the catch. Second-round selection Ben Sinnott is set for an expanded role this fall, but while he has blocking ability, his route running and separation skills are still in question. A receiving talent is needed, and a Day 3 pick in the draft will likely not contribute as a rookie, so Peters may look to free agency. Tight end Isiah Likely looks to be headed to free agency this offseason and would be an ideal addition as a big, athletic tight end with plus blocking and receiving ability. Unfortunately, early speculation has Likely securing a deal comparable to Jake Ferguson’s 4-year, $52 million dollar extension with the Cowboys. I think this is more than Peters’ will be willing to spend, considering he already invested a second-round pick on the position and signed John Bates to a three-year, 21 million dollar extension last season.
David Blough will still need a weapon in the passing game, and Adam Peters may look to the AFC to find the right fit. Chigozeim Okonwko was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 draft by the Titans and has consistently contributed in the passing game, leading the team in receiving for 2025. Tennessee also enjoyed a breakout season from their rookie fourth-round selection, Gunnar Helm, and Chig has indicated he plans to leave Tennessee this offseason. While Okonkwo is a marginal blocker and on the smaller side for tight ends, he thrives in the short-to-intermediate passing game and excels at producing yards-after-contact:
Chig would appear to be an ideal free agent to pair with the likes of Ben Sinnott and John Bates and would give Blough the option he needs in the passing game. The problem comes from the tight end’s projected 3-year, $35 million dollar contract, which may be a little rich for Adam Peters. However, I still think the Commanders GM will at least pursue Okonwko in free agency. The reason? Much like the running back market, free agency has several potential marquis names at the position including Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert, Isiah Likely, and David Njoku. When you add in Chig’s smaller size and inconsistent overall game, I believe the free agent tight end will ink a deal for less than his current projection. How much less? In my estimation, a three-year, 28 million dollar deal should be enough to get the job done and add a dynamic threat for the Washington Commanders’ newest coordinator.
Despite Blough’s relative inexperience, fans should be excited to see what a fresh face brings to the Commanders offense in 2026. There are sure to be bumps in the road, but with the right support from Dan Quinn and Adam Peters, the former quarterback should have an opportunity to take Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in a new direction.
