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Quinn expects more of Daniels under center with new OC Blough
With Blough, the Commanders want to run more plays under center to help the offense — and Daniels — evolve. Washington ran an NFL-low 192 plays with the quarterback under center over the past two seasons,
which was 158 fewer than the team with the next fewest (Cincinnati Bengals). Daniels has attempted only 18 passes from under center across his first two campaigns.
“We’re going to try to feature every part of Jayden in the way that makes him unique and special,” Quinn said.
It helped that Blough served as the assistant quarterbacks coach the past two years and developed a rapport with Daniels, Quinn added.
“Jayden’s a big part of our thinking in all the things we do,” Quinn said. “He wasn’t a part of the staff selection, but he drives a lot of the thinking and how we can feature him and where it goes. Having the ability to connect with him, that’s certainly a big deal for us.
“It wasn’t the deciding factor, but it certainly was a good factor.”
Blough said altering the Commanders’ style will help Daniels, especially playing under center. Washington ran no-huddle on 1,271 plays the past two seasons under Kingsbury; that was 810 more than any other team.
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
The Commanders introduced new coordinators to the media on Tuesday; my main takeaways from those press conferences
It’s Jones’s defense, not Quinn’s
One of the biggest questions facing Quinn this offseason when it came to hiring a new defensive coordinator was how much control of the defense would that coach actually have? Previously, Quinn looked to step back and allow Joe Whitt Jr. to run the defense as he saw fit. Quinn preferred to be more of an overseer, focusing on things like game management while empowering his coordinators to do their jobs. But when Whitt struggled this year, Quinn took over the play-calling duties and suggested he’d be open to keeping them next year.
That could have put off any potential candidates. Anyone coming to Washington from the outside would likely have wanted to run their own scheme, rather than try to implement Quinn’s. Fortunately, Quinn made it clear that he wants Jones to run his own defense, not Quinn’s.
“I wanted to be very clear with him on that, that this would be his system.” Quinn explained. “I think it’s hard to think for someone else, so I wanted to make sure coming here, he wouldn’t have to run my system, learn it. I said like you’re coming here to install it, man.”
Quinn continued. “Ultimately we’re putting in a new system and it’s going to start with his vision, with his terminology, the wording that we use, the communication that we say, that’s how it has to be. I think it’s difficult for someone else to come in and think like someone else. I want him to be able to fully express how he wants to coach it and that was important for me to share with him.”
Quinn said he told Jones he would be there for him to bounce ideas off of and provide any assistance he wanted or needed, but it’s good to hear that Quinn was clear on Jones being able to implement his system. That will be quite a change for Quinn too, which he seemed excited about.
“Putting that system together it’s funny actually, going through the whole process with him was exciting for me too. I like that the learning can be different and what needs to be different and what can be better. So those were things that fired me up.”
Commanders.com
5 takeaways from Dan Quinn’s coordinator press conference
- Both Blough and Jones are great teachers.
There’s a massive difference between Blough and Jones in terms of coaching experience. Blough is just two years into the profession, while Jones has coached at every level from high school to the NFL over nearly three decades. But there are some common threads between them, particularly when it comes to their coaching styles.
“I think you’ll find…the energy for teaching,” Quinn said.
It’s a core trait that Quinn values in his staff, as the Commanders want to be seen as a franchise that can get the most out of their players. He’s already seen that trait from Blough, who has worked closely with Daniels over the last two seasons. His research on Jones showed that he was also “remarkable” in his coaching style and ability to connect with players. He put belief in players to help “raise their game up,” Quinn said, and that was a sentiment shared by many players over his various coaching stints.
“Those are the types of things, from a leadership standpoint, that you want to hear,” Quinn said. “Developing players, making an impact, finding ways to teach it where it can be clear and concise.”
Commanders Wire
6 takeaways from Commanders’ coordinators David Blough, Daronte Jones
Don’t expect a carbon copy of Brian Flores’ defense
Jones has had an impressive list of mentors throughout his time as a coach. And while some believed he was hired because he’s worked for Brian Flores with Minnesota the last three seasons, Jones has plenty of experience to pull from. Jones has worked for Marvin Lewis, Mike Zimmer, Vance Joseph, Lou Anarumo and Flores — all of whom, at one time or another, have been considered some of the NFL’s top defensive minds. You could make the case that Flores and Joseph are the NFL’s two best coordinators currently.
Just because he spent the past three seasons with Flores, don’t expect a carbon copy of Minnesota’s defense.
“You naturally want to be moldable because I’ve been around so many different schemes, I think that’s an advantage of mine,” he said. “There aren’t too many schemes that I have not been a part of. There’s, you know, everyone comes from some type of tree. And so, because of that, I’ve been able to answer your question, be able to implement various things from each scheme that I like and I want to pull from. So, whether it’s the Zimmer scheme, ‘Hey, I like this on third down, I like the mug looks there’. Or if it’s Flores and the versatility and how we can use, one person in multiple ways based off of their strengths. That’s what you want to pull from.”
That’s the perfect answer. While everyone would love to see Flores’ success in Washington, Jones doesn’t have the same players, and he realizes that. The great thing about his experiences is that he’s seen everything. He’s waited a long time for this opportunity and he’s ready.
Riggo’s Rag
Daronte Jones has big plans for Frankie Luvu in his new Commanders defense
Luvu did what the coaches asked to help the team, even though it was to his detriment performance-wise. Jones plans to change all that.
Washington’s new defensive coordinator is a big fan of Luvu. He also sees him as a downhill force who’s best when matched up against running backs, allowing him to be instinctive and use his exceptional athleticism to consistently get around the football.
“I love Frankie Luvu. When you watch him on tape, he’s a guy that, before I even got here, we would watch. I love his athleticism. He’s best going downhill, getting him matched up on running backs. That’s always a key in terms of matchability; putting guys in advantageous positions. He’s best when he can go downhill and use his athleticism to win on the edges. Use his speed — sometimes in space — to encounter those matchups. We want to put him in that situation where he’s matched up with running backs.”Daronte Jones
Jones is devising a new scheme centered on athletic traits and positioning his players for success. Whether it’s 3-4, 4-3, or 4-2-5 is moot; they’re interchangeable. But the new coordinator has already made up his mind about Luvu, and the player will no doubt be thrilled.
Commanders Wire
Daronte Jones gives an unexpected answer when asked what his defense will look like
New Washington defensive coordinator Daronte Jones spoke in a mild, enthusiastic tone; he didn’t seek to fire up the fan base.
Jones spoke Tuesday at his introductory press conference, becoming the new defensive coordinator for the Commanders, replacing Joe Whitt Jr., who held the position the last two seasons (2024-25). One of the most noticeable elements from Jones was how he did not speak. There was no big talk of how this defense will punish people, arrive violently, get to the quarterback, etc.
When asked what his defense will look like, Jones interestingly replied, “I’m not going to say, you know, all the typical coaching buzzwords, but I will say that when you turn on the tape, joy would be one, all right? That would be the number one thing that if you turn on the tape or you watching TV from wherever you may be watching from, to see the joy that these players have when they step on the field, the joy that they have when they’re playing with one another, the comradery. That’s the number one thing that we want to have on the defense.”
Commanders.com
Commanders extend P Tress Way
In 2025, Way earned his third Pro Bowl honor after leading the NFL in percentage of punts downed inside the 20-yard line (52.8), and opponent average starting field position after punts (17.9). Washington’s punt unit also led the league in opponent punt return average (4.6), and opponent punt return yards (114).
During the 2024 season, Way passed P Mike Bragg for the most punt yards in team history. He also totaled 50 punts on the year, his lowest mark since 2016 (49).
Way earned Pro Bowl honors following the 2019 and 2022 seasons. In 2022, he earned Special Teams Player of the Month for October after Way led the NFL with 16 punts inside the 20 which was five more than the next closest punter. He also led the NFL in net average during the month of October. Out of the 28 punts he attempted, he did not record a touchback. He was the only punter in the NFL that had 25-plus punts with no touchbacks.
Commanders Roundtable
Commanders announce several additions to 2026 coaching staff
The most notable may be former head coach Anthony Lynn no longer serving as run game coordinator with the longtime coach entering 2026 as the team’s running back coach, a title he’s also held since he joined the organization in 2024. Lynn also drew a pair of interviews for head coaching vacancies this offseason, though quickly materialized into a long shot with both searches ending days after the reported interviews. New offensive coordinator David Blough expressed confidence in Jacory Croskey-Merritt coming off his rookie season, but also noted “there will definitely be acquisitions that take place” at the position this offseason.
Jesse Madden, the grandson of the late John Madden, joined the organization in 2025 as a quality control coach, but will now step in as assistant running backs coach behind Lynn in 2026.
Andre Coleman will now step in as assistant wide receivers and returners coach in 2026 after joining the organization in 2024 as an offensive assistant.
Shane Toub, son of Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator David Toub, will step in as the assistant offensive line coach under Darnell Stapleton, the team’s new offensive line coach.
George Banko will also step in as the new assistant linebackers coach in his third season with the organization.
With William Gay stepping in as the new cornerbacks/defensive backs coach, he’ll have a new coach alongside him with Tommy Donatell stepping in as defensive backs/safeties coach.
Longtime assistant John Pagano will now also serve as outside linebackers coach after spending the previous two seasons as a senior defensive assistant.
Washington also announced both Eric Henderson and Darryl Tapp as the new defensive line and assistant defensive line coach, along with the DJ Williams hire as new quarterbacks coach. Wes Welker, meanwhile, was listed with an offensive analyst title as Bobby Engram remains the wide receiver coach in 2026.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders subtle coaching shift hints at massive schematic change under Daronte Jones
Amid the wholesale staffing alterations confirmed by the Commanders, John Pagano was given the new title of outside linebackers coach. He has spent the last two seasons as a senior defensive assistant in Washington and has also served as a coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers throughout his accomplished coaching career. Perhaps more telling is what this new role potentially represents.
Much of the speculation following Jones’ arrival centered on what sort of scheme he plans to run. It will be interchangeable, depending on the in-game situation. However, it appears the Commanders will move to a 3-4 base defense, consistent with how Brian Flores operates with the Minnesota Vikings.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering Jones spent the last two seasons as Flores’ right-hand man in Minnesota. Pagano has proven credentials coaching 3-4 outside linebackers, so it’s a logical fit if this is the Commanders’ new schematic direction.
Podcasts & videos
Exclusive sit-down interview with Commanders new Offensive Coordinator David Blough | Next Man Up
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Blogging the Boys
Dear Steelers: Mike McCarthy’s time with Cowboys proves he’s not the answer you’re looking for
Following a disappointing 7–10 season and a tenure laced with early playoff exits, Jerry Jones and McCarthy opted to part ways. While a contract dispute was claimed to be a dealbreaker, the front office repeatedly expressed a level of uncertainty whenever they were asked about McCarthy’s future with the team. Combine that with the team’s underwhelming finishes, and it just seemed that his time in Dallas had run its course.
McCarthy spent last season unemployed. Maybe it was his time to reflect, watch tape, or just take some time to relax. After a year hiatus, he landed on his feet, and those feet landed in Pittsburgh. Returning to his hometown, he replaces Mike Tomlin and becomes only the fourth head coach the Steelers have employed since 1969. The other three have won Super Bowls for the Steel City.
While the Steelers are hoping that streak continues as they bank on his championship experience, most Cowboys fans are mostly just relieved that he’s now someone else’s problem.
Big Blue View
NY Giants 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Tim Keenan III, iDL, Alabama
Keenan III projects as a rotational nose tackle at the NFL level.
There’s quite a lot to like about him, starting with the effort with which he plays. Keenan III’s energy level is infectious and he will absolutely have fans among coaches around the NFL. However, he is a true specialist on defense, and that could limit his draft stock.
Keenan III is an excellent run defender and a true nose tackle who can play in a 3 or 4-man front. However, he offers almost no upside as a pass rusher and his appeal could be limited for teams that depend on a four-man pass rush. Likewise, his ability to impact the play comes with a very limited range, and he quickly becomes a non-factor the further from his initial alignment the ball goes.
No team will be upset to draft Keenan III, however it should be understood that his athletic and schematic limitations will likely put a hard cap on the ceiling of his draft stock.
Final Word: A late Day 2 or early Day 3 value
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Mike Vrabel: Patriots to keep Will Campbell at left tackle
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said New England is committed to keeping Will Campbell at left tackle.
Campbell, the No. 4 pick in last year’s NFL draft, had multiple blocking miscues in New England’s 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
With some NFL teams projecting Campbell as a guard last year coming out of LSU, debate on his future position in New England swirled in some parts of social media after the Super Bowl. Campbell declined to speak to reporters immediately after the game.
Vrabel acknowledged the scrutiny that Campbell faced in his rookie season, comparing it to playing quarterback and cornerback, and even being a head coach.
“Will is 22 years old, he’s our left tackle, he’ll get better, he’ll get stronger,” Vrabel said Tuesday in his season-ending news conference at Gillette Stadium. “There are moments he played well, moments he blocked the guy, there are plays he’d like to have back.
“We’re not moving Will to guard, or center or tight end or anywhere else.”
Campbell, who was taking the loss hard, had declined to answer questions from reporters after the Super Bowl LX. He apologized to media members Tuesday.
NFL.com
The secret weapon NFL offenses are using to buy QBs an extra half-second
No doubt enticed by the chance to gain nearly 0.6 extra seconds to run a play (a lifetime, in football terms), offenses around the league have adopted the strategy [of the chip block] with increasing frequency. In 2023, teams employed chip blocks on over 20% of pass plays (21.3%) for the first time since Next Gen Stats began tracking them, in 2018. Then, the rate spiked to 23.9% in 2024 and leapt again to 26.8% this past season.
[Aiden Hutchinson] was chip-blocked on 127 pass rushes this season, the third-most in the NFL, for a chip-block rate of 22.2%. Compare that to his numbers from his first three pro seasons combined: Hutchinson was chip-blocked 142 times, for a chip-block rate of 11%. Meanwhile, in Houston, Anderson and Danielle Hunter became the first pair of teammates in the NGS tracking era who were both chipped at least 90 times in the same season. And in Pittsburgh, Watt was met with 149 chip blocks in 2024, the most any player has faced in a season since at least 2018, and followed it up with 134 in 2025. Watt recorded the two lowest pressure rates of his career in 2024 and 2025, and it’s fair to wonder if the extra blocking attention was a factor.
Then there’s Garrett, who is somehow not only adapting but thriving under the heat of the added challenge in Cleveland. The newly minted Defensive Player of the Year generated a baffling 23.0% pressure rate when chipped in 2025, compared to just 15.6% in one-on-one matchups. He recorded 29 pressures against chips, 10 more than any other player in a season since at least 2018, along with 5.5 of his 23 sacks.
From 2018 to 2024, six teams set a chip on at least 30% of their pass plays — a rate matched by nine different offenses this season alone. Which teams and coaches are leading the charge? As with many of the NFL’s most enterprising innovations of the last decade, the Sean McVay-Kyle Shanahan coaching tree has delivered an outsized impact in the realm of chip blocks.
The trend has translated to individual blockers, as well. From 2018 to 2021, no single player set 100 or more chip blocks in a season. From 2022 to ’24, one tight end per season managed the feat. And then, of course, in 2025, there was a complete upheaval, with eight different tight ends providing chip help at least 100 times, while T.J. Hockenson, Jake Ferguson, Kyle Pitts and Trey McBride became the first four players in the Next Gen Stats database to set at least 110 chips.
The rise of the chip block coincides with the increased use of multiple tight ends. In 2025, teams used multiple TEs on 25.5% of pass plays, the highest rate Next Gen Stats has tracked (going back to 2016). They chipped on 29.2% of those plays while chipping on 25.1% of all others.
