As the 2026 Washington Commanders Training Camp kicks off next week, I am going to give the status of the team as it stands today. This will be a three part series: 1. The Offense, 2. The Defense, 3. The Special Teams and Coaching Staff. Two days ago I looked at the offense. Yesterday I looked at the defense. To read please click offense and defense. Today let’s take a look at the special teams and the coaching staff.
Kicker
The kicker carousel in Washington has been just as crazy and constant as the quarterback position used to be. To put it in perspective since Terry McLaurin was drafted by Washington in 2019, there have been 14 different quarterbacks take snaps while there are been 13 place kickers in the same span. This position has haunted and perplexed Washington and for 2025 the team settled on Jake Moody. Moody was near perfect on extra points (10 for 11 90.9%) and the same on field goals (10 for 11 90.9%). Moody doesn’t feature a strong leg but is consistent from inside 40 yards. Washington signed a kicker from the University of Iowa Drew Stevens who has a powerful leg. In four years Stevens was (124 for 126 98.4%) on extra points but (76 for 95 80.0%) on field goals. Stevens was in a tough environment in Iowa and the Big Ten and is a competitor. If he can improve his accuracy there is a huge talent there. I would say Stevens has the upper leg so far but none of that matters until the preseason games. I do predict that Stevens makes the roster.
Grade- B+
Punter/Long Snapper
Do I even need to say anything? Tress Way been the best player in Washington the last ten years. He will not be here forever so their needs to be a plan made for the future. However the Commanders are in good hands with Tress Way. Tyler Ott was good last year and will be the long snapper this season.
Grade- A
Coaches
Head Coach- Dan Quinn
Most national media will tell you Dan Quinn is on the hot seat. Letting go of both Coordinators is a sign of a coach under pressure who needed to reset the team. A year removed from the NFC Championship game to two new coordinators in 12 months is alarming to say the least. Now Quinn is beloved by the players and you never hear anything negative about him or the staff (for reference the previous regimes you’d always heard negative things.) That buys more grace than you think. First year success might have been bad for Quinn as he is expected to win now. Quinn has always been known as a motivating players coach and he will need to do his best job ever to keep the ship headed the right way. I don’t see a mid-season firing unless the bottom falls completely out but the front office won’t accept another five win season.
Grade C+
Offensive Coordinator- David Blough
One of the new coordinators was the assistant quarterbacks coach at this time last season. An up and coming offensive mind in this league was considered a candidate to be an offensive coordinator around the league. Coach Dan Quinn did not let that talent get out of the door. Having played under Dan Campbell, Kliff Kingsbury, Ben Johnson, and Kevin O’Connell, Blough will have a diverse offense to put forth. Blough has orders to protect Jayden Daniels and less RPO and more under center. This will be accomplished as he is used to planning and working with Daniels. The harder part will be the in game play calling. That we will just have to wait and see. Blough should have a time to workout learning how to call plays. If this works out then the Commanders will have struck gold.
Grade- A-
Defensive Coordinator- Daronte Jones
Another rising star in the NFL is Daronte Jones. The PG County native has helped the Minnesota Vikings defense become one of the dominant defenses in the league. An aggressive defense that featured pressure on the quarterback and aggressive defensive back play. After hiring Jones, Adam Peters rebuilt the defense to reflect Jones’ style of defense. Too often in the last few years the Washington defense was reactive and not proactive and the opponents’ offense dictated the game. This must change in 2026 for Washington to succeed. Jones has experience at every level and can really coach the game. This was another good hire for Washington.
Grade- A
The biggest question for Washington is can Head Coach Dan Quinn is can Washington be competitive this season. The roster says better but not an A+ roster. Quinn did not inherit a good roster at all but by year three Washington should be moving forward. If Washington does not then Adam Peters may go in another direction. If Washington can get through the first six games 3-3 or better then the season will be a good one. If they don’t then there might be a bigger change. How do you see the coaching staff?
