The Washington Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday, leaving Dan Quinn looking for both an offensive and defensive coordinator, as Washington also fired Joe Whitt Jr.
Who will be the Commanders‘ next offensive coordinator? Much like the defensive coordinator position, it’s worth asking if Quinn will look outside his comfort zone.
This is an important hire for Quinn. If this goes wrong, he won’t get the chance to make another coordinator hire. Also, this is probably his last head-coaching job if things continue to trend downward in 2026. So, it would make sense for Quinn to look for an experienced play-caller to work with quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Might that be former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll?
While things went south for Daboll as the Giants’ head coach after a big first year, he was once considered one of the NFL’s better offensive coordinators for his work with the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen from 2018-21. Daboll has plenty of experience, too, also serving as offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns (2009-10), Miami Dolphins (2011), Kansas City Chiefs (2012) and the Alabama Crimson Tide (2017). It was his work at Alabama that got Daboll the opportunity in Buffalo.
You’re probably asking why Daboll got fired from his three previous NFL OC jobs. Look back at Cleveland, Miami and Kansas City during those years. All three franchises were horrible and lacked stability. Remember, Andy Reid didn’t arrive in Kansas City until 2013.
Daboll got his start in New England as a defensive assistant in 2000. In 2002, he was promoted to wide receivers coach, a position he held for five seasons. It was during this time that Daboll worked with current Washington GM Adam Peters. Peters also began his NFL career as a Patriots scout in 2003. They were on the same New England staff for four seasons.
In 2007, Daboll moved to the New York Jets as their quarterbacks coach. For two years, Daboll was on the same staff as Quinn, who served as defensive line coach. Also on that Jets’ staff as a special assistant was Ed Donatell, father of current Commanders’ defensive backs coach Tommy Donatell.
So, there is a familiarity with the two most important decision-makers: Peters and Quinn. Also, Daboll was lauded for his work with Josh Allen. While Allen and Jayden Daniels are different players, Daboll has enjoyed success working with mobile quarterbacks. Daboll isn’t as rigid in his offensive scheme as Kingsbury. He’s known to be flexible and adapts to his personnel.
There’s also this:
Brian Daboll says he would have traded up for Jayden Daniels 👀
🎥: @StreamOnMaxhttps://t.co/bYIBBHLJsYpic.twitter.com/LdVlxY46B9
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) July 17, 2024
Daboll is a fan of Daniels. In the top video, you see Daboll saying he would trade up for Daniels. In the bottom video, you see Daniels’ meeting with the Giants at the NFL combine.
Also worth noting, the Commanders fired offensive line coach Bobby Johnson on Tuesday. Johnson was Daboll’s offensive line coach in Buffalo and followed him to New York for two seasons, until Daboll fired him after the 2023 season.
What does all this mean? Maybe nothing. But the connections are there.
Stay tuned.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Could Brian Daboll replace Kliff Kingsbury?
