Kliff. Are you breaking up with me?

[Chris]

I’ll take Thing’s that are Ridiculously Obvious for $500, Alex.

 

[Higskin]

Some good coaching carousel nuggets from Fowler and Graz but nothing too in depth about Kliff.

NFL head coaching carousel intel, latest Week 18 buzz, news

Which teams will make coaching changes? Could Jeff Hafley or Chris Shula land an open job? Here's our coach movement intel ahead of Week 18.

www.espn.com

Which candidate do you believe most strongly will get a head coaching job this cycle?​

Fowler: There are several options here. The field is as wide open as I can remember. It's missing the proverbial golden goose, eliciting several different answers from industry sources over the past few weeks. Former or recently fired head coaches could be happy with this cycle, and interview quality will absolutely matter. But I'll go with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. He's part of the cluster of strong defensive-minded candidates this cycle. He seems to have some traction in New York, too. I've heard his name linked to the Giants job a few times in my calls over the past week, and I expect him to be on their list. Hafley is also a geographical fit as a Montvale, New Jersey, native.

Graziano: The name that jumped to my mind is Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who I believe will be on a lot of lists. That Sean McVay pixie dust has been the key for a lot of guys getting their first head coaching shot, and Shula could be next. I could see him being of interest in Tennessee if he brings the right offensive coordinator with him for quarterback Cam Ward's development. I also think Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will get another shot, with Miami and Las Vegas both strong possibilities for a variety of reasons if those teams decide to make changes.

Fowler: Shula has that Rams tree, coaches an opportunistic defense in L.A. and has long been on the league's internal radar as an emerging candidate. That's a good formula. We outlined a few weeks back the reasons Joseph is well positioned, and Joseph and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh acquitted themselves well with the Raiders during last year's cycle. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke are poised to score their first interviews. Seattle's Aden Durde could land in that group, too.

One thing this cycle has in spades is defense. It's lacking a bit on offense. I'm expecting Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to be in the mix in Tennessee (and possibly elsewhere). Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady have earned interview chances but aren't considered runaway prospects at this point. Stefanski and Kliff Kingsbury might be involved. It wouldn't surprise to see Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher on the interview circuit. And a sleeper candidate is Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who could have some action. What do you make of that side of the ball, Dan?

Graziano: I've heard Nagy's name a lot; it was thrown around in connection with the Titans job seemingly within the first few minutes after Brian Callahan was fired. I agree that Kubiak is one to watch and think he might get more interviews than some might expect him to get. Brady would be the guy to watch in Cincinnati if the Bengals did move on from Taylor, but like you, I don't expect that to happen. The relative lack of top offensive candidates is the thing that makes me wonder whether Kingsbury gets some attention or even Mike McCarthy gets some looks, though I haven't heard anything solid on teams being interested in the latter.

 

[Conn]

Kubiak is allegedly a real candidate for the TB job that seems like it should open up, but for the people who feel that it’s too early for Quinn to go, but still think we eventually end up with an offensive guy if we don’t get over the hump…this is a good year to stay the course. Not a great pool of blue chip offensive wizkids to choose from after the last few years of hiring. Giving this staff another go is good business as well as just good timing. We’ll see if we feel the same next year, or the year after.

 

[Riggo44]

I look forward to laughing at the Giants hire. Mara is trending towards Snyder with his hires since Coughlin: McAdoo, Shurmur, Judge, and Daboll.

 

[Solitary Man]

Report: Commanders Have Had Conversations About Potentially Moving On From OC Kliff Kingsbury

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the Commanders had conversations about potentially moving on from OC Kliff Kingsbury, even if he doesn’t get a head coaching job in 2026.

www.yardbarker.com

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the Commanders had conversations about potentially moving on from OC Kliff Kingsbury, even if he doesn’t get a head coaching job in 2026.
Russini adds that some people in the building feel there is a disconnect between Kingsbury and GM Adam Peters.
Kingsbury, 46, was hired as the Texas Tech head coach back in 2013 and spent six years in the position before he was fired. USC hired him as their offensive coordinator, but he resigned from the job after just a month, after receiving interest from the NFL. The Cardinals subsequently hired him.

After four seasons in Arizona, Kingsbury was let go and returned to USC as the quarterback coach. In 2024, the Commanders hired him as their offensive coordinator.

During his six seasons at Texas Tech, Kingsbury led them to a record of 35-40 (46.7 percent), which included three bowl game appearances.

For his NFL head coaching career, Kingsbury led the Cardinals to an overall record of 26-33-1 in four seasons with one playoff appearance.



A disconnect between Peters and Kingsbury.
Adam! You and I are starting 2026 off on the right foot babe!

 

[Conn]

That would be such a green flag for AP long term for me. You’re already replacing your DC, it’s probably the last chance to hire replacement coordinators (under Quinn) without candidates feeling like they’re entering a lame duck situation. So while you’re replacing Whitt, continuing to turn over the roster, and re-energizing the organization…why not look at every aspect? What’s working okay but not swimmingly? Why settle?

This would come out of nowhere for a lot of people, but not me. Would be very forward-thinking and make me very bullish about AP’s prospects for learning from mistakes these first two years and acting with controlled urgency. Sometimes you only get one clean shot at your dream job, “good enough” isn’t enough if that’s your mindset.

 

[skinzplay]

Kliff started commissioning those "I have HC interest elsewhere" tweets a few weeks ago, starting with Russini, the usual outlet. Maybe the writing was on the wall, and he was getting that out there as a preemptive way to save face. I do know that Lynn has been unhappy with all the RB rotation. I'm sure there's more. You'll notice that the details of his contract/arrangement with us have never been revealed. It'd be an easy separation, AZ is still paying him.

I think JD5 will be fine learning a new offense. He's smart, he studies, he works hard......if anyone can still succeed in such a new or recalibrated context, it's him. Kliff's offense is sustainable neither in terms of consistent success nor for the longevity of a QB. DQ can't afford that. He tied his fate, in part, to Whitt. Mistake. Perhaps he's realized he cannot with Kliff, either.

If anything goes down in Miami, I want Jon Embree back in Ashburn to work with our TEs.

 

[Conn]

One thing I’ve always had reservations about with the Kliff hire (since when you have a defensive HC all you worry about if you’re successful is “how long until someone takes our QB’s playcaller? One of the things I hate about it) is that his offense doesn’t really have a coaching tree. So you’re hiring a guy whose offense is fairly singular in this league, and tying your young QB to it. I hated that.

My huge hope is that we haven’t spent the past two years thinking Kliff was grooming Brian Johnson or Lynn for the job as they’ve been immersed in his system. That was one reason I was happy to see Pritchard hired away elsewhere, to hopefully avoid that temptation. Blough has a promising rep but very little experience, it’s too soon. I don’t want them handing this offense to a Kliff understudy if it doesn’t work with him, I want change.

Consistency and continuity for a young QB can be paramount, yes. But not when you’re continuing bad things (that few around the league are experts in, given Kliff’s semi-unique coaching journey to the NFL). I’d rather Daniels start over now in a system that has more of a foundation of working across this league (for instance—but not necessarily—a Shanahan variant) than play another 1-2 years under Kliff and have to do it later, when we’re trying to re-sign him to a monster contract extension. That’s why I didn’t like the hire. So just do it now, if it feels right.

But trying to hand the reigns to someone who will keep the same scheme and terminology for Daniels for continuity, but likely adhere more closely to the sort of game plans Quinn and AP want…that would be the quickest way for me to give up on this current regime. Hand these playcalling reigns to Brian Johnson or Anthony Lynn in the same system and I’m out on the whole thing until it inevitably crashes and burns. They need to hire from the outside and bring in a new scheme before spending all that FA money and drafting rookies. If they’re gonna make a move now is the time.

It won’t be devastating for Daniels, he’s a smart kid and looked better in year 1 in the league when he was a newbie. Look at Trevor Lawrence this year. Took about half the season but he’s rejuvenated in that Coen offense and he was really teetering on bust territory. Caleb & Ben Johnson, same thing. Goff was more of a vet but adjusted quickly to Ben Johnson after being traded from the Rams. Mike McDaniel salvaged multiple productive years out of the Tua potato before that fell apart. Young is limited but Canales was able to improve him and is well on his way to maximizing that twerp.

I think healthy and confident Jayden Daniels maximized and bailed out Kliff, not the other way around. He’ll be alright, and we’ll be helping him out by getting him in a better scheme with more of a succession plan if he gets his playcallers hired away.

I hope that rumor’s true, is what I’m saying. And I hope they don’t try to sell us an in-house option. I have respect for our assistants, at the level they’re currently at. I don’t want microwaved Kliff leftovers when I didn’t like fresh-out-the-oven Kliff.

 

[Bulldog]

Washington needs to pull a Philly and get rid of both coordinators and start process over again to develop Daniels and protect him in the offense as well as finish better than 29th on defense showing the same mistakes week after week without any adjustments to scheme or personnel.

 

[Skinfanjon]

One thing I’ve always had reservations about with the Kliff hire (since when you have a defensive HC all you worry about if you’re successful is “how long until someone takes our QB’s playcaller? One of the things I hate about it) is that his offense doesn’t really have a coaching tree. So you’re hiring a guy whose offense is fairly singular in this league, and tying your young QB to it. I hated that.

My huge hope is that we haven’t spent the past two years thinking Kliff was grooming Brian Johnson or Lynn for the job as they’ve been immersed in his system. That was one reason I was happy to see Pritchard hired away elsewhere, to hopefully avoid that temptation. Blough has a promising rep but very little experience, it’s too soon. I don’t want them handing this offense to a Kliff understudy if it doesn’t work with him, I want change.

Consistency and continuity for a young QB can be paramount, yes. But not when you’re continuing bad things (that few around the league are experts in, given Kliff’s semi-unique coaching journey to the NFL). I’d rather Daniels start over now in a system that has more of a foundation of working across this league (for instance—but not necessarily—a Shanahan variant) than play another 1-2 years under Kliff and have to do it later, when we’re trying to re-sign him to a monster contract extension. That’s why I didn’t like the hire. So just do it now, if it feels right.

But trying to hand the reigns to someone who will keep the same scheme and terminology for Daniels for continuity, but likely adhere more closely to the sort of game plans Quinn and AP want…that would be the quickest way for me to give up on this current regime. Hand these playcalling reigns to Brian Johnson or Anthony Lynn in the same system and I’m out on the whole thing until it inevitably crashes and burns. They need to hire from the outside and bring in a new scheme before spending all that FA money and drafting rookies. If they’re gonna make a move now is the time.

It won’t be devastating for Daniels, he’s a smart kid and looked better in year 1 in the league when he was a newbie. Look at Trevor Lawrence this year. Took about half the season but he’s rejuvenated in that Coen offense and he was really teetering on bust territory. Caleb & Ben Johnson, same thing. Goff was more of a vet but adjusted quickly to Ben Johnson after being traded to the Rams. Mike McDaniel salvaged multiple productive years out of the Tua potato before that fell apart. Young is limited but Canales was able to improve him and is well on his way to maximizing that twerp.

I think healthy and confident Jayden Daniels maximized and bailed out Kliff, not the other way around. He’ll be alright, and we’ll be helping him out by getting him in a better scheme with more of a succession plan if he gets his playcallers hired away.

I hope that rumor’s true, is what I’m saying. And I hope they don’t try to sell us an in-house option. I have respect for our assistants, at the level they’re currently at. I don’t want microwaved Kliff leftovers when I didn’t like fresh-out-the-oven Kliff.

Agree completely and this decision will define the regime. Well, Quinn anyway. Peters would outlast but wear the failure. Put me down as someone who thinks we’ve squeezed all the juice KK has to offer. Firing him just to run a watered down version of the same system by one of his lieutenants makes zero sense.

 

[DWinzit]

One thing I’ve always had reservations about with the Kliff hire (since when you have a defensive HC all you worry about if you’re successful is “how long until someone takes our QB’s playcaller? One of the things I hate about it) is that his offense doesn’t really have a coaching tree. So you’re hiring a guy whose offense is fairly singular in this league, and tying your young QB to it. I hated that.

My huge hope is that we haven’t spent the past two years thinking Kliff was grooming Brian Johnson or Lynn for the job as they’ve been immersed in his system. That was one reason I was happy to see Pritchard hired away elsewhere, to hopefully avoid that temptation. Blough has a promising rep but very little experience, it’s too soon. I don’t want them handing this offense to a Kliff understudy if it doesn’t work with him, I want change.

Consistency and continuity for a young QB can be paramount, yes. But not when you’re continuing bad things (that few around the league are experts in, given Kliff’s semi-unique coaching journey to the NFL). I’d rather Daniels start over now in a system that has more of a foundation of working across this league (for instance—but not necessarily—a Shanahan variant) than play another 1-2 years under Kliff and have to do it later, when we’re trying to re-sign him to a monster contract extension. That’s why I didn’t like the hire. So just do it now, if it feels right.

But trying to hand the reigns to someone who will keep the same scheme and terminology for Daniels for continuity, but likely adhere more closely to the sort of game plans Quinn and AP want…that would be the quickest way for me to give up on this current regime. Hand these playcalling reigns to Brian Johnson or Anthony Lynn in the same system and I’m out on the whole thing until it inevitably crashes and burns. They need to hire from the outside and bring in a new scheme before spending all that FA money and drafting rookies. If they’re gonna make a move now is the time.

It won’t be devastating for Daniels, he’s a smart kid and looked better in year 1 in the league when he was a newbie. Look at Trevor Lawrence this year. Took about half the season but he’s rejuvenated in that Coen offense and he was really teetering on bust territory. Caleb & Ben Johnson, same thing. Goff was more of a vet but adjusted quickly to Ben Johnson after being traded to the Rams. Mike McDaniel salvaged multiple productive years out of the Tua potato before that fell apart. Young is limited but Canales was able to improve him and is well on his way to maximizing that twerp.

I think healthy and confident Jayden Daniels maximized and bailed out Kliff, not the other way around. He’ll be alright, and we’ll be helping him out by getting him in a better scheme with more of a succession plan if he gets his playcallers hired away.

I hope that rumor’s true, is what I’m saying. And I hope they don’t try to sell us an in-house option. I have respect for our assistants, at the level they’re currently at. I don’t want microwaved Kliff leftovers when I didn’t like fresh-out-the-oven Kliff.

Nice post. Beat me to a couple of my first thoughts.

I do worry they will advance OC from within and there will not be enough change for what we could really use. It feels like a DQ move to move Johnson or Lynn up. One of them may have even been promised the position when hired if KK left after a year, who knows on that front.

I pray the DC is not a hire from within. I want new blood.

One question and I can see you all going either way with this one - is AP overstepping his head coach in making this call or in having disconnect? I get his position and that he may not agree with some of Kliffs beliefs or moves, I know I didn't.

 

[RWJ]

I pray the DC is not a hire from within. I want new blood.

Agreed. Same for a new OC hire. New blood at both DC and OC.

 

[method man]

Nice post. Beat me to a couple of my first thoughts.

I do worry they will advance OC from within and there will not be enough change for what we could really use. It feels like a DQ move to move Johnson or Lynn up. One of them may have even been promised the position when hired if KK left after a year, who knows on that front.

I pray the DC is not a hire from within. I want new blood.

One question and I can see you all going either way with this one - is AP overstepping his head coach in making this call or in having disconnect? I get his position and that he may not agree with some of Kliffs beliefs or moves, I know I didn't.

No. Howie does that all the time in Philly.

 

[Riggo44]

No. Howie does that all the time in Philly.

And it's completely stunted Hurts.

 

[method man]

And it's completely stunted Hurts.

It won them a Super Bowl last year

EDIT: Note Patullo is Sirianni’s guy. Decent bet Howie overrides Sirianni this offseason and gets rid of his guy and brings in a Daboll and that offense is clicking again next year

 

[Riggo44]

It won them a Super Bowl last year

Fangio won them a super bowl, along with Barkley having a historic year. Hurts has gotten worse every year.

There's risk to the status quo, as there is with overhauling the staff. Given Daniels and Kingsbury's relationship, it would be very risky to just unceremoniously dump him.

 

[Conn]

Nice post. Beat me to a couple of my first thoughts.

I do worry they will advance OC from within and there will not be enough change for what we could really use. It feels like a DQ move to move Johnson or Lynn up. One of them may have even been promised the position when hired if KK left after a year, who knows on that front.

I pray the DC is not a hire from within. I want new blood.

One question and I can see you all going either way with this one - is AP overstepping his head coach in making this call or in having disconnect? I get his position and that he may not agree with some of Kliffs beliefs or moves, I know I didn't.

If the gist of Russini’s rumor is true, I don’t know that I’d go so far as to say the exact details of it are. If AP feels a disconnect with Kliff (which I imagine applies to the talent he’s bringing in not being used how they thought, or the system not growing his franchise QB how he envisioned) then I’d imagine Quinn is on the same page.

A reminder that AP is at the top of this football operation and, in the end, responsible for its end product is good imo (for fans I mean). Quinn should be in charge of the day-to-day, he’s responsible for enacting the plan he sold AP on when he was hired. But he’s also IN IT. He’s very close to the action, and the position he’s in necessitates that he have his peoples’ backs and advocate for them. To a point. The guy responsible for hiring and firing you (AP) putting a thumb on the scale once in a while may be necessary (if that’s even what happened).

 

[Conn]

Fangio won them a super bowl, along with Barkley having a historic year. Hurts has gotten worse every year.

There's risk to the status quo, as there is with overhauling the staff. Given Daniels and Kingsbury's relationship, it would be very risky to just unceremoniously dump him.

I don’t feel any particular way about Kliff’s relationship with Daniels. I have no evidence one way or another that it’s vital. I know for a fact watching the games that he doesn’t make Daniels’ life as a young QB easier the way I see other playcallers do. He doesn’t seem to be learning that Daniels does not have good vision or decision-making on RPO’s, and that he’s much better as a scrambler when things break down. Still keeps slamming him into the defensive front-7 a bunch of times per game, even when he’s hurting and our entire franchise depends on his health and productivity. Doesn’t protect him by leaning on the running game, even when it’s working.

I have no direct evidence that Kliff is necessarily a net positive for Daniels and his development.

 

[Bulldog]

Daniels needs a complete redo on offense.

Philly went out and got Barkley to take pressure off Hurts in the ground game and started to focus more on Goedert and quick passing.

5 vs. 6 or 7 blocking in pass pro is not a winner either.

 

[HOF44]

He doesn’t seem to be learning that Daniels does not have good vision or decision-making on RPO’s, and that he’s much better as a scrambler when things break down. Still keeps slamming him into the defensive front-7 a bunch of times per game, even when he’s hurting and our entire franchise depends on his health and productivity. Doesn’t protect him by leaning on the running game, even when it’s working.

This resonates with me. His propensity to put JD in harms way along with JD going super hero too much makes me very afraid he stays healthy enough to have a long career.