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ESPN analyst makes case Commanders’ Dan Quinn should’ve been fired instead of Kliff Kingsbury
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- ESPN analyst makes case Commanders’ Dan Quinn should’ve been fired instead of Kliff Kingsbury
ESPN analyst makes case Commanders' Dan Quinn should've been fired instead of Kliff Kingsbury appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
It seems like Washington Commanders ' former OC Kliff Kingsbury got a lot of blame last year. Meanwhile, head coach Dan Quinn came out unscathed for the most part. However, an ESPN analyst made a case that Quinn should have been fired instead of Kingsbury.
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It was a long 2024 season for the Commanders. Coming off an appearance in the NFL Championship game, the Commanders flopped. And Kingsbury took the brunt of the blame. Perhaps too much, according to ESPN.
"Washington opened its offseason by firing both Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.," Seth Walder wrote. "The former dismissal was a curious choice. Although the Commanders massively disappointed by going 5-12 in 2025, the defense was the biggest culprit, ranking 30th in EPA per play.
"Of course, quarterback Jayden Daniels' injuries didn't help — nor did his late-down efficiency crashing back to Earth after a banner 2024 — but the fact that the Commanders were middle of the pack in offensive EPA per play without Daniels for half the season (and were actually more efficient without him!) is a testament to the offensive coaching. If anyone should have been on the hot seat after 2025, I think it should have been head coach Dan Quinn , not Kingsbury."
How will things turn out for the Commanders?
In fairness to the Commanders, one of the things observers noticed was his huge reliance on the shotgun. The new approach will have Daniels under center more in 2026.
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And that's something that could create more explosive plays. It could also keep Daniels in better health. Daniels took rare snaps under center in his first two seasons.
Quinn certainly left himself no breathing room. He hired 30-year-old David Blough for his first shot at an offensive coordinator role.
Daniels said he loves the new approach, according to commanders.com.
"I love what Blough's doing," Daniels said. "I love how he's creating and designing different things, and then we're going from there. But for me personally, it's just how can I get better as a football player."
Related: Why Mina Kimes believes Brandon Aiyuk is a great fit in Washington
Related: 49ers rumors: Mike Florio reveals Brandon Aiyuk's next move after firing agent amid Commanders push
