David Blough, Commanders Reportedly Agree to OC Contract After Kliff Kingsbury Exit

The Washington Commanders reportedly went with an internal candidate to replace former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

The Commanders have hired assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough as their next OC, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday.

Blough had received interest from the Detroit Lions as an offensive coordinator candidate prior to the Commanders' hiring, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Blough was a member of the Lions' practice squad during the 2023 season.

He joined the Commanders ahead of the 2024 campaign and has spent the last two seasons as part of the staff working with Jayden Daniels.

The Lions, Chicago Bears and New York Jets were tied to an interest in Blough after Daniels' NFC Rookie of the Year campaign last winter, according to Rapoport.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported last February that the Commanders had blocked the Jets from interviewing Blough to be their quarterbacks coach.

Blough ultimately stayed in Washington for the 2025 season, which he finished out as the Commanders' interim quarterbacks coach following Tavita Prichard's departure to serve as head coach at Stanford.

The 30-year-old closed out the season by working with both Marcus Mariota and his former Lions teammate Josh Johnson, who stepped in while Daniels was injured down the stretch of his second NFL season.

Daniels will now look to spend the offseason recovering from the knee, elbow and hamstring injuries that limited him last season in order to bounce back with a healthier 2026 campaign.

Bough will head into his new role with recent playing experience under Kingsbury in addition to current Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson and Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell.

The fact that Blough not only worked under Kingsbury for two seasons in D.C., but also played for the Arizona Cardinals during his tenure in Phoenix, could potentially create some continuity for Daniels heading into his third pro season.