Commanders part ways with OC Kliff Kingsbury, DC Joe Whitt Jr. after disappointing 2025

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The Washington Commanders will have a new coordinator crew in 2026.

The Commanders are moving on from both offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday, per sources informed of the situation.

Kingsbury and the Commanders agreed to mutually part ways after a frustrating 5-12 season that saw quarterback Jayden Daniels play seven games, per Rapoport and Pelissero. Without Daniels’ playmaking ability, the Washington offense looked lost for long stretches. Kingsbury’s offense finished 22nd in both points and yards in 2025 after landing in the top 10 in both categories a year ago.

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The Commanders’ run game was solid, even without a top-tier back, ranking eighth in rushing yards, but the passing game in Kingsbury’s scheme couldn’t get off the ground, finishing 24th in yards.

With Kingsbury out, Dan Quinn’s choice of the next coordinator for Daniels will be pivotal and should be a sought-after position.

On defense, Quinn took over play-calling duties from Whitt after 10 games, foreshadowing the DC’s dismissal. An old defense perked up slightly but still finished dead last in yards allowed and 27th in points given up.

The question heading into the interview process is whether Quinn hires a defensive play-caller or retains that role himself while adding someone to help build a weekly plan.

The wheels fell off in Washington in just about every conceivable way in 2025. They’ll add two new front tires to the operation in 2026 in hopes of speeding their way back to the postseason.

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