Report: Commanders could move on from OC Kliff Kingsbury

5 days ago 2

With Washington's 2025 campaign coming to an end in just two days, the Commanders have begun to shift focus to the 2026 season, after a historically bad season following one of the better seasons in franchise history.

While Washington is expected to retain head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters, The Athletic's Diana Russini reported that Kingsbury is expected to field head coaching interviews from around the league, and that Washington could move on from him, whether or not he takes a head coaching job elsewhere.

Kingsbury made the jump from the University of Southern California to the Commanders in 2024, where he helped head a rookie Jayden Daniels-led offense to a 12-5 record, and Washington's first NFC Championship appearance since the 1990 season.

This season, much like Washington's defense, the Commanders' offense suffered a handful of injuries that derailed most of their season and led to an eight-game losing streak. Over that eight-game drought, Washington averaged just 16 points per game, including two overtime performances against the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos.

Daniels dealt with a hamstring injury, and eventually the gruesome left elbow injury that sidelined him for half the season, forcing backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to take the reins as Washington's signal caller.

In 11 games, Mariota threw for just 1,695 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions; however, he was sacked 16 times. Yet, Daniels was sacked 18 times in just seven games, a clear sign that Washington's offensive line continuously failed to protect its quarterback.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin missed seven games with a quad injury that he continued to re-aggravate throughout the season. Yet, entering Week 18, McLaurin is still Washington's second leading receiver behind Deebo Samuel Jr. He caught 34 passes for 525 yards and three touchdowns.

Wide receiver Noah Brown Jr. missed 10 consecutive games with a groin injury, leaving the Commanders to rely on second-year receiver Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane as Washington's WR3. Brown was able to return in Week 15; however, he suffered a season-ending rib injury, which reset Washington's receiving corps rotations.

McCaffrey only played nine games before being placed on the Injured/Reserve list, leading Washington to sign Treylon Burks, Chris Moore, and Robbie Chosen as replacements. Running back Austin Ekeler played just two games before suffering a season-ending injury after he tore his Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.

All in all, the 2025 struggles cannot be put solely on Kingsbury; however, despite that talent Washington was or was not able to put on the field, Washington struggled to produce regardless.

A blowout 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, with Daniels, Samuel, McLaurin, and Brown all healthy, was the perfect representation of Washington's inept offense in 2025. Even with a majority of its starters, it could not compete with a Vikings' defense that gave up an average of 23.4 points through their first 12 games of the season, including 37 against the Los Angeles Chargers, whom Washington beat 27-10.

Kingsbury's offense simply couldn't compete against the rest of the league. Entering Week 18, Washington ranks 25th in passing touchdowns (18), 24th in passing yards (3,198), and 20th in total touchdowns (38).

Washington needs to be more aggressive in 2026, and that starts with leadership from its coordinator. Kingsbury's entertaining interviews from other organizations may just be enough for the Commanders to move on to a new offensive coordinator next season.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Could they move on from OC Kliff Kingsbury?

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