Commanders Hire First-Time DC Daronte Jones and Former QB David Blough After 5-12 Collapse

The Washington Commanders finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record after going 12-5 in 2024 and earned the seventh pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin contributed to the decline, with both players missing multiple games. Shortly after the season ended, the Commanders fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

And mutually parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The team then hired Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator and David Blough as offensive coordinator. Daronte Jones enters the role as a first-time coordinator in the NFL.

David Blough spent the previous two seasons as an assistant quarterbacks coach after playing five years in the NFL. Coach Dan Quinn took the new coaching staff on a retreat earlier in the 2026 offseason. " Quinn made it clear during meetings last season that he wanted to run the ball more, according to multiple team sources, and discussed the approach again after the 2025 season.

Quinn also stated that the offensive staff "has got a lot of experience; use those guys in different ways. " The changes come as Quinn enters his third year with the Commanders. ESPN reported that one person close to Quinn said he never mentioned the 2025 injuries when discussing what must change, instead focusing on adjustments ahead.