The Washington Commanders have made significant changes to their coaching staff following a disappointing 2025 season. Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury and Defensive Coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have both been dismissed after their team struggled throughout the year.
Challenges Faced in 2025
Despite a respectable run game, which ranked eighth in the league for rushing yards, the Commanders’ passing game fell short. Under Kingsbury’s offensive scheme, they finished 24th in passing yards. This lack of offensive production ultimately contributed to the team’s poor performance overall.
Dan Quinn’s Role and Future Decisions
Dan Quinn, who is likely to play a crucial role in the team’s future, has the important task of selecting the next offensive coordinator. This position is expected to attract significant interest, given the opportunity to work with the Commanders.
Defensive Challenges and Coaching Changes
On the defensive side, Quinn took over play-calling responsibilities from Whitt after ten games into the season. While this change brought some improvement to the aging defense, they still ended the season ranked last in yards allowed and 27th in points conceded.
- 2025 Rushing Yards Rank: 8th
- 2025 Passing Yards Rank: 24th
- Final Defensive Yards Allowed Rank: 32nd
- Final Points Allowed Rank: 27th
Heading into the interview process for potential new coaching hires, a key question remains: Will Quinn choose to hire a new defensive play-caller or continue to manage the defense while bringing in additional staff to support game planning?
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the Commanders look ahead to the 2026 season, they aim to revamp their strategy and improve performance. The franchise hopes that these coaching changes will pave the way for a more successful campaign and a potential return to postseason play.
