The Washington Commanders have made significant moves in their coaching staff, hiring Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator and Joe Whitt Jr. as their new defensive coordinator. These additions come as part of the team’s efforts to revamp their coaching staff under new head coach Dan Quinn.
Kliff Kingsbury, the former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, will now be responsible for running the Commanders’ offense. After talks fell through with the Las Vegas Raiders, Kingsbury quickly became the top choice for Washington. With the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft and a projected $73.6 million in cap space, the Commanders are looking to make significant improvements this offseason.
Kingsbury brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously served as an offensive analyst for USC and as the head coach of Texas Tech. During his time with the Cardinals, he achieved a playoff appearance in 2021 after an 11-6 season. However, things took a turn for the worse in 2022 as Arizona finished last in the NFC West with a 4-13 record. Kingsbury will now have the opportunity to revitalize Washington’s offense and improve their rankings in points per possession and yards per possession.
On the defensive side, Joe Whitt Jr. joins the Commanders as the new defensive coordinator. Whitt previously worked with Dan Quinn in Dallas, where they consistently had a top-five defense in points allowed over the past three seasons. This is a significant hire for Washington, as their defense ranked last in both points and yards allowed in 2023. Whitt’s expertise and experience will be crucial in turning around the team’s defensive performance.
One interesting aspect of Kingsbury’s hiring is his familiarity with quarterback Caleb Williams. As an offensive analyst at USC, Kingsbury had a full season to observe Williams, who is expected to be a top-three pick in the draft. If the Chicago Bears, who hold the No. 1 pick, decide to keep their current quarterback Justin Fields, Washington could have the opportunity to select Williams at No. 2. This would create a reunion between Kingsbury and Williams, potentially leading to a successful offensive partnership.
Overall, the Washington Commanders have made significant strides in their coaching staff by hiring Kliff Kingsbury as the offensive coordinator and Joe Whitt Jr. as the defensive coordinator. With these additions, the team aims to improve their offense’s performance and turn around their struggling defense. The upcoming draft will also play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future, with the potential to select a highly talented quarterback like Caleb Williams. Fans and analysts will be eagerly watching to see how these changes impact the Commanders’ performance in the upcoming season.