Commanders move on from Kliff Kingsbury, Joe Whitt Jr. in major staff shake up after disappointing season

The Washington Commanders have made big changes to their coaching staff after a tough NFL season in 2025. The team has let go of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. This is a big change for the 2026 season.

Washington ended the season with a 5-12 record, which was a big disappointment following a good run the year before. Head coach Dan Quinn has a very important offseason ahead of him as he tries to rebuild both sides of the ball around a young core.

Kliff Kingsbury exit

Kingsbury’s departure has drawn the most attention. The Commanders and Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways following a season in which the offense struggled for consistency. Washington finished 22nd in both points scored and total yards, a sharp drop from its top-10 ranking in 2024.



Injuries played a major role. Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 games due to multiple injuries, and the offense rarely had its full lineup available. The passing game never found rhythm, even though the run game ranked among the league’s better units.

Reports suggest that Daniels and several offensive players were unhappy with Kingsbury’s exit. Daniels publicly praised the coach earlier in the week, saying he valued their relationship and believed they had unfinished work together.



Still, Quinn and the front office chose to move in a different direction, believing the offense needs a fresh voice to maximize Daniels’ development.

Joe Whitt Jr. exit

While Kingsbury’s exit raised eyebrows, Whitt’s dismissal was widely expected. The Commanders’ defense ranked last in the NFL in total yards allowed and near the bottom in points conceded.



Midway through the season, Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties from Whitt, a move that often signals a loss of confidence. Although the unit showed brief improvement, the overall results were not good enough.

Whitt, who has a long-standing relationship with Quinn, acknowledged the decision was difficult but understood it was part of the business.

What happens next for Commanders?

The Commanders will now search for two new coordinators, making Washington one of the more attractive destinations on the coaching market. Finding the right offensive coordinator for Daniels will be especially important, given his talent and long-term importance to the franchise.

It's interesting that Kingsbury is already being linked to head coaching jobs in the league, even with teams in the same division. His good work with Daniels in 2024 has maintained his reputation high, even though things went wrong in 2025.

This staff shake-up is more than just a shift for the Commanders; it's also about urgency. Washington is hoping that fresh leaders on attack and defense will help them get back into the playoffs in 2026 after another dismal season.

Also Read: Cowboys’ defensive instability grows with Matt Eberflus firing


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