Posted on Jan 06

Commanders part ways with OC Kingsbury, DC Whitt after disappointing season

Posted Jan 6, 2026

#kliff-kingsbury #roster-move #commanders

The Washington Commanders are undergoing a significant overhaul in their coaching staff, parting ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. after a disappointing season.

Why it matters: This shake-up reflects the Commanders' need to address a stark decline in performance following a promising previous season where they finished 12-5.

Despite boasting a formidable record last year, Washington's fortunes turned dramatically, leading to a dismal 5-12 record this season. The team's defense, once a strength, plummeted to last in yards allowed and ranked 27th in points against. In contrast, last year's defense was more competitive, landing at 18th in points and 13th in yards.

What’s new: Kingsbury's exit is particularly noteworthy as he had only one year remaining on his contract.

He will continue to receive compensation from the Arizona Cardinals, where he previously served as head coach before being dismissed.
Meanwhile, Joe Whitt Jr.'s firing comes on the heels of a season marked by injuries, including losing both starting defensive ends and key cornerbacks, which hampered the unit's effectiveness.

Yes, but: The decision to release these coordinators could yield mixed results for the team moving forward.

With Dan Quinn stepping in as the head coach and taking over defensive playcalling duties, there is potential for revitalization under his leadership.
However, the offensive struggles cannot solely be attributed to Kingsbury; quarterback Jayden Daniels played only four full games due to injuries, limiting the offense's ability to find rhythm.

What to watch: As Washington transitions to a new coaching structure, how they address their injury woes will be critical.

Star players like running back Austin Ekeler and wide receiver Terry McLaurin faced significant injuries that contributed to the offensive decline, with McLaurin playing just nine games and Ekeler suffering a season-ending Achilles injury early in the season.
The Commanders ranked 22nd in scoring and yards this year, a sharp drop from their fifth-place finish in points and seventh in yards the previous season.

The bottom line: The Commanders face an uphill battle to restore their competitiveness in a tightly contested NFC East.

With injuries impacting both sides of the ball and the loss of experienced coordinators, rebuilding the culture and performance levels will take time.
As Jayden Daniels expressed, “I love working with Kliff. Me and him have a special relationship,” highlighting the emotional weight behind the departures, but the team must focus on the future to regain its competitive edge.

Commanders part ways with OC Kingsbury, DC Whitt after disappointing season

Alex Parker

Posted Jan 6, 2026

Why it matters: This shake-up reflects the Commanders' need to address a stark decline in performance following a promising previous season where they finished 12-5.

What’s new: Kingsbury's exit is particularly noteworthy as he had only one year remaining on his contract.

He will continue to receive compensation from the Arizona Cardinals, where he previously served as head coach before being dismissed.

Meanwhile, Joe Whitt Jr.'s firing comes on the heels of a season marked by injuries, including losing both starting defensive ends and key cornerbacks, which hampered the unit's effectiveness.

Yes, but: The decision to release these coordinators could yield mixed results for the team moving forward.

With Dan Quinn stepping in as the head coach and taking over defensive playcalling duties, there is potential for revitalization under his leadership.

However, the offensive struggles cannot solely be attributed to Kingsbury; quarterback Jayden Daniels played only four full games due to injuries, limiting the offense's ability to find rhythm.

What to watch: As Washington transitions to a new coaching structure, how they address their injury woes will be critical.

Star players like running back Austin Ekeler and wide receiver Terry McLaurin faced significant injuries that contributed to the offensive decline, with McLaurin playing just nine games and Ekeler suffering a season-ending Achilles injury early in the season.

The Commanders ranked 22nd in scoring and yards this year, a sharp drop from their fifth-place finish in points and seventh in yards the previous season.

The bottom line: The Commanders face an uphill battle to restore their competitiveness in a tightly contested NFC East.

With injuries impacting both sides of the ball and the loss of experienced coordinators, rebuilding the culture and performance levels will take time.

As Jayden Daniels expressed, “I love working with Kliff. Me and him have a special relationship,” highlighting the emotional weight behind the departures, but the team must focus on the future to regain its competitive edge.