NFL world reacts to Commanders hiring David Blough as OC

[ASFN Admin]

The Washington Commanders made a bold move on Friday, promoting assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. Earlier this week, Washington and Kliff Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways after two years. Blough, a former NFL quarterback, played for Kingsbury and began his coaching career in 2024.

While it's different ownership and different regimes, Washington wasn't about to let someone it felt was the next coaching star out the door, as it did with Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel, and Kevin O'Connell. From the moment the Commanders parted ways with Kingsbury, Blough was immediately in the mix. Complicating things, though, was Detroit's request to interview Blough.

Blough spent parts of three seasons in the NFL. He had two stints with the Lions from 2019-21 and in 2023, once serving as Jared Goff's backup. The Lions saw firsthand Blough's coaching potential and wanted him back to serve as offensive coordinator. Detroit recently fired Johnny Morton after only one season. Morton replaced Ben Johnson, who left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears. Johnson served in multiple roles with the Lions while Blough was on the roster.

Kingsbury saw great potential in Blough while he was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and gave Blough his first coaching job with the Commanders. Blough quickly developed a rapport with Washington's quarterbacks, specifically Jayden Daniels. Late in the season, quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard departed to take over as head coach of Stanford, and Blough took over the quarterbacks' room.

Blough's promotion was big news around the NFL on Friday evening. What were the reactions? It was almost unanimously positive.

Here are some of those reactions.

Al Galdi​

Washington promoting David Blough to offensive coordinator is bold, exciting and loaded with upside. No such thing as too young or too soon if someone is really good.

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) January 10, 2026

Kevin Sheehan​

If McDaniel is an OC instead of head coach in '26, patience on the Blough hire will be thin. I have no idea if Blough will be a good OC but for 2 yrs, many in the business have hailed him as the next big thing. They didn't want him to leave. We know the feeling of when they do.

— Kevin Sheehan (@kevinsheehanDC) January 10, 2026

Grant Paulsen​

David Blough’s trajectory —

November: Assistant QBs Coach
December: QBs Coach
January: Offensive Coordinator

Incredibly fast rise.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 9, 2026

Barstool Nate​

For those who are unsure about promoting David Blough, I look at it like this- You can't be mad at making Blough the OC if you also get mad when they've show the god forsaken 2013 coaching staff image every week for the last 12 years. We finally kept our guy. pic.twitter.com/98QJC4vsoS

— Eric Nathan (@BarstoolNate) January 10, 2026

PFT Commenter​

David Blough was my number 1 choice. Glad the commanders got him as offensive coordinator before he got offered a head coaching gig. 10/10 hire Josh Harris has done it again

— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) January 10, 2026

Albert Breer​

New Commanders OC David Blough was one of 3 internal candidates who interviewed, joining Brian Johnson and David Raih. They also interviewed Cardinals pass game coordinator Drew Terrell and Cowboys TEs coach Lunda Wells.

Big gamble—Blough has just 2 years of coaching experience.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 10, 2026

Ted Nguyen​

This seems like a good promotion

- has familiarly with Jayden
- knows his strengths and weaknesses
- knows the parts of Kliffs offense that they want to keep
- theoretically, can translate his knowledge of an UC/PAP offense from his playing days (played for Ben Johnson) https://t.co/oZsczqbl6I

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) January 10, 2026

Josh Norris​

This is awesome

Listened to a few Ben Johnson pressers throughout the season where he credited Blough with specific play designs to attack certain looks/tendencies https://t.co/ExslPySl4N

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) February 15, 2024

Bruce Feldman​

David Blough rocketing up the coaching ranks. Not shocked at all. Was always wise beyond his years. https://t.co/GyhetDvuBE

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 10, 2026

More reactions​

Go get Blough & 5 some damn FIREPOWER

I better not see Chris Moore on my TV EVER AGAIN

— Rio Robinson (@Rio_Robinson91) January 10, 2026

I’ll give Quinn credit. He’s really trying to learn from mistakes in Atlanta. This is a risky hire and Blough was an unknown, but he’s been under the tutelage of some really good offensive minds. I hope it works out. It had better.

— Disco (@discoque90) January 10, 2026

They let McVay walk.
They let O’Connell walk.
They let LaFleur walk.
They let Shanahan walk.

That was years ago, but Quinn didn’t let Blough walk. Extremely bright offensive mind that’s been in the mud for two years with Daniels already. That matters.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 9, 2026

MAYBE…..

Just MAYBE…..

We are using FORESIGHT & GETTING AHEAD of the Curve with a guy Like David Blough

&

See the VISION with a 30 Year Old, INTELLIGENT, UP & Coming STAR in the Coaching Ranks

The Same crap we INCESSANTLY BEGGED the Old Regimes for Not Doing



Wishful… pic.twitter.com/lN2tf8Patq

— Rio Robinson (@Rio_Robinson91) January 9, 2026

Commanders hire David Blough as their new OC (@RapSheet first ). Blough,any in the building is one of the bright new minds, has a tremendous rapport with Jaden Daniels, that was key to the hire I’m told.

— Chick Hernandez (@MrChickSports) January 10, 2026

For us on the outside, there’s no real way of us knowing what Blough could do. All we know is he’s “highly thought of” around the NFL. Putting the trust of Jayden and DQ’s crucial 3rd year into a guy that has only been an assistant QB coach would be a big risk, very boom or bust https://t.co/WZaOyQffkF

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 9, 2026

I’m good with this move. McDaniel would’ve been fun, but Blough already knows Jayden and how to put him in the best position to succeed. Continuity matters.#RaiseHailhttps://t.co/ALtKZhu8fA

— Tailgate Ted (@TailgateTed) January 10, 2026

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: NFL world reacts to David Blough's hiring

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