David Blough is stepping up big time for the Commanders, taking over as their new offensive coordinator. This isn’t some slow-burn promotion either, head coach Dan Quinn wasted no time in January promoting Blough after Kliff Kingsbury departed. This move is a huge vote of confidence, especially considering Blough was just the assistant to quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard during the 2024 season, the year Jayden Daniels exploded to win NFL Rookie of the Year.
That’s right, the guy pushing Daniels to greatness is now running the entire offense. Pritchard, who served as the Commanders’ quarterback coach from 2023-2025 before heading to Stanford, has nothing but praise for his former assistant. Speaking at an ACC coaches preseason press conference, Pritchard raved, “I really enjoyed my time working with David.” He didn’t stop there, calling Blough “smart, a great football mind.” And if you want to know what kind of guy Blough is, Pritchard made it crystal clear: “One thing I know you will get from Blough, you’re going to get a competitor.” Jayden Daniels, of all people, knows that firsthand. Blough often competed against Daniels in passing drills, always pushing him to sharpen his skills. Pritchard firmly believes Blough will “leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding a way to win, finding a way to get the first down and score a touchdown.” That’s the kind of drive you want in an OC.
It’s not just Blough’s smarts and competitive fire that Pritchard highlighted, though. He also stressed his belief in head coach Dan Quinn, saying, “I also have a big belief in Dan Quinn, in how he will be able to empower Blough and the rest of that staff.” That’s a huge deal for a first-time coordinator; getting that kind of trust from your head coach is everything. Pritchard even went on to say he thinks “they will return to the playoffs,” adding, “I have so much reverence and respect for Dan Quinn. I am excited for that group, for David Blough, for DQ. I am looking forward to following them this year.” Of course, Blough has never actually called plays in an NFL game with the clock running. Nobody knows what’s going to happen in his rookie season as a play-caller, but everyone who’s worked with Blough agrees he’s intelligent and will adapt quickly.
So, this season is going to be absolutely wild for the Commanders. With a former colleague like Pritchard talking him up to this degree, and head coach Dan Quinn putting him in charge, all eyes are on David Blough to see if he can take this squad to the promised land and live up to those playoff expectations. Get ready for some fireworks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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