Quinn expects more of Daniels under center with new OC Blough

Ashburn, Virginia — Washington Commanders Coach Dan Quinn said the ability to unlock more from the quarterback jayden daniels This factored into the decision to replace offensive coordinators after the season.

Quinn, speaking publicly for the first time about his staff changes, said the Commander’s offense will look different under new coordinator David Blough, who will take over for Kliff Kingsbury. Washington mutually parted ways with Kingsbury two days after the 5–12 campaign ended.

With Blough, the Commander want to run more plays under center to help the offense and Daniels develop. Washington played an NFL-low 192 games with the quarterback under center over the past two seasons – the next fewest (cincinnati bengals). Daniels has attempted just 18 passes under center in his first two campaigns.

“We’re going to try to represent every part of Jaden in a way that makes him unique and special,” Quinn said.

It helped, Quinn said, that Blough served as an assistant quarterbacks coach the past two years and developed a rapport with Daniels.

“Jaden is a big part of our thinking in everything we do,” Quinn said. “He wasn’t a part of the staff selection, but he inspires a lot of thinking and how we can showcase him and where it goes. To have the ability to connect with him, it’s definitely a huge thing for us.

“It wasn’t the deciding factor, but it was definitely a good factor.”

Daniels was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, when he threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 891 yards and six scores. He helped the Commanders to a 12–5 regular season finish and a berth in the NFC Championship Game. In three postseason games – all on the road – Daniels threw for 822 yards and five touchdowns with one pick while also rushing for 135 yards and a score.

However, the previous season was full of injuries. He played in seven games but only finished in four due to injuries. He had a knee sprain, a hamstring injury and a dislocated left elbow. He missed the final four games after re-injuring his elbow in the Week 14 loss. minnesota vikings. Daniels remained on the active roster, but Quinn announced he would not play the remainder of the season, at which time the team was 3–10.

Blough said the change in the Commanders’ style – he played in 1,271 games without an interception over the last two years under Kingsbury, 810 more than any other team – will help Daniels, especially playing under center.

“There are different ways to go about things,” Blough said, “and that’s something I’m guilty of given his skill set, his fundamentals, the things we loved about him when he first came here, that are still true.” [Under center] It’s something we’d like to implement with him and get him in that position.”