It’s that time of the year when NFL coaches across all ranks, including head coaches and coordinators, are fired, but there appears to be some drama and deeper issues brewing with the Washington Commanders and head coach Dan Quinn’s decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Commanders Players Not Happy About Kliff Kingsbury Firing
According to Dianna Russini of “The Athletic,” the Commanders have fired Kingsbury, who spent the last two seasons with the team. His first season was 2024, Jayden Daniels’s rookie year. That year, Daniels won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Commanders made the NFC Championship game.
Now, after the team 5-12 with much of that involving injuries to Daniels and even backup Marcus Mariota, the team has parted ways.
In response to Russini’s report, James Palmer, also of “The Athletic,” added more context, saying: “There had been some disagreements on how the offense was being run had been going on for a while. So this isn’t a massive surprise.”
There had been some disagreements on how the offense was being run had been going on for a while. So this isn’t a massive surprise. https://t.co/iOBoKBaAJD
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 6, 2026
Former ESPN insider Josina Anderson echoed many of those sentiments, adding the following:
“My understanding is that Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury discussed the long term vision for the offense & Jayden Daniels, and didn’t see eye-to-eye.
Quinn’s strength, in my estimation, is in calling the defense. To be determined on if he returns to that–after leading the upcoming hiring process for both new coordinators.”
My understanding is that Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury discussed the long term vision for the offense & Jayden Daniels, and didn’t see eye-to-eye.
Quinn’s strength, in my estimation, is in calling the defense. To be determined on if he returns to that–after leading the upcoming… https://t.co/4YmOH02QFQ pic.twitter.com/jEmeGy8EBR
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 6, 2026
Of course, coaches get fired all the time, so the firing itself isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but now, there are reports that many offensive players are upset with the decision, including Daniels, their franchise quarterback.
“Sources: My understanding is that key #Commanders offensive players, including QB Jayden Daniels, are disappointed with the team’s decision to part ways with OC Kliff Kingsbury,” Jordan Schultz reported.
He added that Daniels said at a press conference this past Monday that the team should keep Kingsbury.
This season, the Commanders finished 11th in PFSN’s Offense Impact score with a 78.1 grade. Keep in mind that it came despite Daniels playing in just seven games.
Last season, Daniels finished with a QB Impact score of 86.9, which was fifth in the NFL.
With Kingsbury out, the Commanders now have to hire a new offensive and defensive coordinator, as Quinn and the Commanders also parted ways with Joe Whitt.
As for Kingsbury himself, PFSN’s Byron Terry lists him as a possible candidate for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching job.
