The Washington Commanders have mutually parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. following a disappointing 5-12 season in 2025. This move comes after a successful 2024 campaign led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, but injuries and defensive struggles derailed the year. Kingsbury, praised by players for his quarterback-friendly system, is expected to attract interest for head coaching or coordinator positions elsewhere.
The Washington Commanders' 2025 season ended in frustration, prompting significant staff changes. After a breakthrough 2024 where Kingsbury's up-tempo, shotgun-centric offense propelled the team to success with rookie Jayden Daniels, the follow-up year brought challenges. Daniels, the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, appeared in just seven games due to knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries. Key receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown also missed substantial time—McLaurin played 10 games after a quad injury, and Brown appeared in four—while the offensive line was not fully intact until mid-October.
Despite these setbacks, the offense ranked 12th in success rate and secured wins with Daniels, backup Marcus Mariota, and third-stringer Josh Johnson. Players appreciated Kingsbury's approach. "I love working with Kliff," Daniels said. "Me and him have a special relationship." Mariota added, "I think being able to be on the ball is very quarterback friendly. It allows you to see it, gets you into good plays, gets you out of bad plays."
On defense, the unit struggled immensely under Whitt, allowing the sixth-most points in the NFL and ranking near the bottom in passing yards (28th), rushing yards (30th), third-down efficiency (23rd), and red zone efficiency (31st). They surrendered at least 24 points in 12 games, leading coach Dan Quinn to assume play-calling duties midseason.
Quinn cited a desire for a more traditional, run-heavy style, diverging from Kingsbury's no-huddle emphasis—Washington led the NFL with 1,271 no-huddle plays over two years but ran the fewest under center. "Everything needs to be and is being thoroughly examined and discussed," Quinn stated. The firings signal a reset, with general manager Adam Peters facing key decisions to support Daniels, who will adapt to a new system.
Kingsbury, 46, leaves with a strong reputation for developing young quarterbacks like Daniels and Kyler Murray. Potential destinations include offensive coordinator roles with the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens (after firing John Harbaugh), or Atlanta Falcons, or even a head coaching job with the Giants.
