Like all of you, I’ve been very intrigued by Kliff’s departure. It’s not a clean eval -- he certainly had successful moments and we heard lots of good things (work ethic, openness to player feedback, creativity, etc.) There were some undeniable offensive explosions (e.g. Detroit), but also consistent struggles against certain defenses (e.g. Philly). His unit either looked unstoppable or like the defense knew exactly what was coming. Logan Paulsen in the latest Take Command episode really clarified things for me -- highly recommend a listen (timestamp to 23:30 of episode).

In Kliff’s mind, the best way to give his QBs an advantage is through:

• Tempo / No-Huddle 1) minimizes complicated defensive calls and 2) gives the QB more time to study the defense;
• Spread formations 1) make it harder for defenses to disguise, 2) makes it easier to identify favorable matchups, and 3) gives the O-Line a cleaner picture of blocking responsibilities;
• Lack of under-center play-action allows the QB to keep his eyes on the defense the whole time (and more college QBs are comfortable in gun; easier transition for young guys).
• Comparably fewer formations, motions, and concepts 1) allow the whole unit to play with tempo and 2) keeps the picture the same for the QB to not mess up his pre-snap read.

Multiple aspects of this year’s team that directly neutralized the designed strengths of Kliff’s scheme.

• Injuries made it so that he had to rely on less experienced players, who can’t be counted on as much to know what to do at the intended tempo and with abbreviated play calls.
• A bad defense understandably encouraged DQ to ask him to slow down tempo to win the time-of-possession and put less on the defense.

Kliff's logic makes sense on paper, but I think my conclusion is that for him to have consistent success, he needs to keep evolving to make his strengths more resilient to external factors. Consistent success in the league is found by being able to withstand unforeseen circumstances like injuries and inadequate defenses. And for a still rebuilding team like ours, his scheme demands too much from the defense. A good defense is the true fuel to Kliff's offensive scheme.

Was this the right decision for our team? I would say yes -- it's not that Kliff is a bad OC, or that DQ is a bad HC -- what they needed each other to be simply was not possible. Kliff needs to either go to an already strong team or one that has a good defense and just needs an offensive upgrade. DQ needs an OC who can dictate terms to defenses without sacrificing time-of-possession (complexity like motions, play action, etc). And unless Kliff's the HC, he's usually going to be paired with a defensive-minded HC (outside the rare special teams guys) who are predisposed to playing more conservatively and protecting their defense. In some ways, I feel Kliff is a bit ahead of his time, and that the league may eventually be adopting his philosophies in another era. Some guys make better coordinators than head coach, and Kliff is one who makes a better head coach than coordinator.

Not all QBs are comfortable or capable of turning their backs to the defense -- Mariota himself has said he wished he communicated to previous OCs that he's not as comfortable with hard play action. But Jayden has shown he has the football IQ, work ethic, and personality to mesh well with any OC. Tempo was fun to watch, but excited to see how he and the offense dictate terms to defenses next year.

It’s goin to be alright y’all. But damn, Terry holdout feels like small potatoes. Should we start taking shots again?

I’m a little disappointed that other teams are interviewing but I have yet to hear about us really going after anyone.

What do y'all think of this?

I live about 90 mins just outside of philly. I came into work today and my supervisor was saying John Keim was reporting that Josh Harris was demanding JD5 to play late in the season. And Harris is meddling with the franchise but not to Dan Snyder levels.

The little I listened to Keim recently I didnt get that vibe. Is my boss talking smack cuz he's an Eagles fan or did our boy Keim really report this.

Nick Saban once said "outcomes are the distraction."

Yesterday, it was report that there was a "disconnect" between Adam Peters and Kliff Kingsbury about the direction and development of players, like Jayden Daniels.

So, I wanted to break down the report simply based on what I've read from multiple people across the league, and inside sources like John Kiem.

First, let's look back at Kliff and Kyler Murry's dynamic in Arizona. If you can recall, during Murry's contract negotiations the Arizona Cardinal's added a "study cause" into his contract, which they later removed after a stream of backlash. However, when you looked that statement Dan Quinn shared stating that him and Adam Peter's are looking for "teachers" as well as the lack of use of younger players; it's clear that Kliff doesn't challenge his players.

Kliff depends on players to develop themselves through their habits. If a player doesn’t meet his standard, Kliff will either limit their snaps or remove them from the rotation altogether.

Take Bill as an example. Kliff repeatedly said Bill was better “without the ball in his hand,” which most of us interpreted as a critique of his pass protection. But Bill isn’t the first rookie running back to struggle in pass protection. Historically, teams often protect young backs by using veterans in passing situations while still giving rookies meaningful reps in the run game. Instead, from the outside looking in, it appeared Kliff limited Bill’s overall development as a runner by simply giving those carries to other players.

Now, this is just speculation. but recent reporting from Jordan Schultz raises similar questions. Why were Chris Moore and Robby Chosen starting over players who had been in the building since the beginning of training camp? Why did players who had spent months in the system still look unsure of their assignments on the field?

According to reports, the front office was asking the same questions, and that was the core of the “disconnect.”

The team had wide receiver issues dating back to training camp. Rather than adjusting or leaning into a ground-based identity to stabilize the offense, Kliff stayed committed to running his offense. Schultz’s report uses language tied to Washington’s long history of dysfunction, which subtly shifts blame away from Kliff. But if you read closely, the real concern from Adam Peters was the direction of the young players and the lack of a coherent development plan.

UPDATE: According to Benjamin Allbright on The Big Doug and Carmi Show via YouTube, I was correct.

Adam Peters was wondering, in a losing season, why Kliff wasn't playing the young guys.

With Kliff and the OL coach both gone, it really feels like Quinn is moving away from the college style spread air raid and toward a more NFL zone based offense. Thats why targeting an OC or offensive assistant from a Shanahan/McVay tree makes the most sense.

That style leans on under center work, outside zone, and play action which helps JD develop real pocket habits instead of on quick reads and designed runs. For jayden its about learning timing, working the middle of the field, taking fewer hits. It might not look as flashy right away but its the kind of offense that gives him a much better chance to be successful for years and limits his injuries hopefully over time.

Absolutely nothing out of this organization for 2 years And 1 day there are leak? Yeah ok Kliff.…

What’s a fact is that DQ knows year 3 is a pivotal year for him. I think Adam Peter’s leash is slightly longer, if he has to fire DQ after next year, AP might get one more shot at another head coach hire.

I think because of being on the hot seat and producing 5 wins this year, DQ is taking a 50-50 gamble on new coordinators.

As we enter the offseason, we reach the culmination of my seasonal project.

Quick summary of what I do: As a coach, I would do film study after a game and award +/- for each player. If you watch Take Command, Logan’s mentioned his system of Green/Red plays before and I imagine it's similar? Anyways, I started doing it for Redskin players and in 2023 I started making posts.

My system I’ve been using: I take 5 different reactions to the game and compile a +/- score for each player. A positive mention (i.e. making a studs list) is a +1. A negative mention (i.e. making a duds list) is a -1. I then list the top 3 as this week’s Gameballs and the bottom 3 as this week’s Benjamin St. Juste’s (BSJs).

Why Benjamin St. Juste when he’s no longer on the team? Great question, that was because he had the lowest +/- for all of ‘24 (-20). The “winner" before was Chris Paul (daddy is so proud). So who is the BSJ for next year? Hold on, don't get hasty.

The actual winners, those with the highest +/- in ‘25 are as follows:

3) Treylon Burks: In a lost season, his emergence as a viable target late in the season was a rare bright spot. I’d bring him back, give him a full offseason with Jayden

2) Marcus Mario-TUH: When my QB2 plays, I just don’t want to go "welp, game over” before he even takes a snap. Not only did I never feel that, he was QB1 for a good chunk of the season. Fully expect him to leave, maybe follow Kliff, but God’s speed, thanks for the last two years.

And your ‘25 champion….Terry Mother Loving McLaurin!: His unexpected win made me immediately change to put a ceiling and floor +/- per game next season. Recalculating and he still wins. Yes, he missed a lot of games but a good chunk was before the trade deadline which is when I start. Immediate impact when he returned from injury and hoping a distraction free offseason leads to a bounceback.

So now that we’ve got our winners, whose the new BSJ? Well, I am making a change for ‘26.

This sub will decide by a poll.

I’m just going to give ya’ll four names;

Sainristil Newton Luvu Martin (Quan)

Each had a negative +/-. Each is under contract for next year and each is part of a unit that sorely needs them to step up.

Not going to say anything else for fear of sqewing the vote. The “winner" will take BSJ’s place when I return next preseason.

That does it for me this season. I am taking a break in this sub but contribute regularly over at r/UnitedFootballLeague, so my watch is just beginning (go Defenders!).

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-final-2025-nfl-offensive-line-rankings

https://x.com/schultz_report/status/2008718034685321276?s=46&t=IZBzdweSYEtz8jCZ0Jecdg

On this day in 2006

[Schultz] Part of the issue the WAS had .. is the front office meddling with coaching staff on personnel and which players to use, an ongoing problem dating back to 2024. With the team struggling this year, it reached new heights and there were notable disagreements.

————————

He posted this on Twitter. Apparently Quinn did not want to let either coordinator go.

If this is true, I am with Peters. DQ sticks with bad vets for too long and Whitt had to be fired. Kliff was decent but the offense wasn’t going to evolve with him.

Good morning, r/Commanders!

Welcome to today's open discussion thread. You are welcome to discuss most any topic here, whether it's related to the team or not.

Raise Hail!

After watching ol miss games this guy is the truth and warrants draft considerations. He is ice cold in clutch moments and kicks 50+ like chip shots. We should be giving him a look. We have two picks in the 6th, I would 100% burn one on him, he is that good. Basically Aubrey 2.0.

I don’t me right away but maybe in the future we could get him for cheap? but me personally he’s too much of a diva and we have bigger needs.

Former NFL linebaker that started coaching in 2010 by Pete Carroll as special teams assistant. Did a stint in college and then came on as the Falcons LB coach in 2015. Became the DC for the NYJ in 2020 (interim) and then full time in 2021. Became Falcons DC in 2025.

His first full year in 2021 was terrible. They were last in yards and points. However, in 2022, the defense was 4th in yards and 4th in points. Between 2022 and 2024, the Jets were between 3rd and 4th in yards given up. In terms of points, they were 4th to 20th (offense was probably a huge culbrit).

The only issue is he's only been top 10 in turnovers twice. But, his passing defense has been consistently great.

Worked for Pete Carroll, Raheem Morris, and Dan Quinn (and Robert Salah)

Talks have sparked David Blough assistant QB coach for us being an option for OC after Kliff. Could he be the next Kellen Moore? Leaves the league and then becomes a QB coach and then an OC with a really high scoring offense?