The Washington Commanders announced today that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities. Kingsbury and head coach Dan Quinn met earlier this morning and agreed to mutually part ways, ending a two-year tenure marked by dramatic highs and challenging lows.
Adam Schefter on X (formerly Twitter): “Sources: Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities. Kingsbury and HC Dan Quinn met today, and agreed to mutually part ways. pic.twitter.com/vFMVEaZlg0 / X”
Sources: Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities. Kingsbury and HC Dan Quinn met today, and agreed to mutually part ways. pic.twitter.com/vFMVEaZlg0
Kingsbury joined the Commanders in February 2024 after a stint as a senior offensive analyst at USC. His arrival coincided with the drafting of quarterback Jayden Daniels, and the partnership quickly bore fruit. In 2024, Kingsbury’s innovative Air Raid-influenced scheme helped propel Washington to a 12-5 record, a playoff berth, and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game—the franchise’s first since 1991. Daniels earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, thriving under Kingsbury’s quarterback-friendly system that emphasized mobility, quick passes, and explosive plays.
However, the 2025 season proved far more difficult. Plagued by injuries, including significant time missed by Daniels and key receivers like Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, the Commanders slumped to a 4-12 record. The offense regressed sharply, ranking near the bottom of the league in several categories, including passing touchdowns and total offense. Despite these struggles, Kingsbury’s track record with young quarterbacks drew interest from teams with head coaching vacancies.
“Kliff has been an integral part of our staff, and his contributions to our success in 2024 cannot be overstated,” Quinn said in a statement. “After thoughtful discussions, we both agreed that this is the right time for him to explore new challenges. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Kingsbury, 46, has long been regarded as one of the NFL’s premier offensive minds for developing quarterbacks. His resume includes mentoring Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield at Texas Tech, Kyler Murray during his time as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2019-2022), and Caleb Williams at USC. Sources indicate he is expected to receive interview requests for head coaching positions, potentially with teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels expressed appreciation for Kingsbury in recent comments, noting, “I love working with Kliff,” and highlighting the coordinator’s role in his development. Stability for Daniels will be a key consideration as the Commanders search for Kingsbury’s replacement.
With Quinn and general manager Adam Peters expected to return in 2026, the organization is poised for staff changes on both sides of the ball following a disappointing campaign. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. is also unlikely to return after Quinn assumed play-calling duties midseason.
The Commanders hold the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will look to build around Daniels as they aim to rebound from one of the league’s most frustrating seasons.
Kingsbury’s departure closes a chapter on an era of promise that delivered short-term success but ultimately fell short of sustained contention. As he pursues his next opportunity—potentially a return to head coaching—the NFL world will watch closely to see where one of its most creative offensive thinkers lands next.
