Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough addressed the media for the first time in his new role. Here are five takeaways from his initial press conference.
- His experience as a quarterback will be vital.
Blough has no experience calling plays at any level, let alone for an NFL team, but that doesn't mean he's entering his new role completely unarmed.
Blough -- an undrafted free agent out of Purdue -- had a journeyman's career during his short stint in the NFL with just seven starts. However, it was a beneficial time for him, as he got to work with offensive gurus like Kevin O'Connell and Ben Johnson. Though he has no experience calling plays in those systems, he does know how to run them and what to expect when they are executed properly.
"You get to be in the room where all those conversations take place and you hear how the coordinator thinks, so while you're not maybe calling the play in the huddle as a backup like I was for the majority of my career, you get let in the chess match of what a play caller is thinking, being on the headset, hearing the play call come in, the dialect, all the little things that go into making a well-oiled machine kind of run."
- More work under center for Jayden Daniels.
Head coach Dan Quinn addressed a major concern for last year's version of the Commanders' offense when he confirmed that Daniels would be under center more often in 2026. Blough backed that up when he was at the mic later in the day, explaining that it will help add another layer to Washington's offense.
"It opens up some different schemes in the run game, some things that I believe in," Blough said. "It opens up different play-actions and keepers and getting him on the perimeter in different ways."
The Commanders utilized the shotgun formation more than any team in the league over the last two seasons. While that worked in 2024, the Commanders struggled to replicate that success in 2025. Both Quinn and Blough believe in a balanced attack for the offense and are confident that running more plays under center while increasing the unit's flexibility and unpredictability and also letting Daniels use his legs and scramble. And there's a history of that working out in the NFL; nine of the 14 teams who ran the most plays under center made the playoffs last year.
That will likely be an adjustment period for Daniels, who has operated almost exclusively out of the shotgun throughout his career. He did get more experience with it when Josh Johnson was the starter at the end of the season, though, and Blough believes the quarterback has a strong support system to help him adjust.
"It won't be completely new to him," Blough said. "He's got a ton of time with coaches that he has worked with in California to kind of grow in that area. And we'll hit the ground running on that."
Check out some of the top photos from Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough's playing career.
Purdue quarterback David Blough, rear center, looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough, right, hands off to A.J Ouellette during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough hands off to running back Godwin Igwebuike during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) goes through reads during a preseason NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough (17) rolls out of the pocket during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Jan.8, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Purdue quarterback David Blough stands on the sideline after being pulled from the game in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland in College Park, Md., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Purdue quarterback David Blough scrambles against Michigan State during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Purdue quarterback David Blough speaks during a funeral for Tyler Trent at College Park Church, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Indianapolis. Trent, an avid Purdue fan, died on New Year's Day, following a bout with bone cancer. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, Pool)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Purdue quarterback David Blough lays on the ground after being injured during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, November 21, 2015, in Iowa City, Iowa. Blough didn't return to the game after the injury. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) throws in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough throws against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) in action against Indianapolis Colts during an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) celebrates with wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. Wisconsin defeated Purdue 47-44 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough (17) throws a pass during an NFL football football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) throws against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback David Blough throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough makes a throw during NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough warms up prior to an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough (17) throws a pass past Cardinals linebacker Kyle Soelle (58) during NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 24-7. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough (9) throws a pass during practice at the NFL football team's training facility Monday, July 29, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough rolls out to pass against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough plays during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Purdue quarterback David Blough, right, gets tackled by Iowa defensive back Geno Stone (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough (9) plays against the Washington Redskins during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Purdue quarterback David Blough in the second half of a college NCAA football game between Illinois and Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) throws against Louisville during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) cuts in front of Missouri defensive lineman Franklin Agbasimere (45) for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
East quarterback David Blough (11), of Purdue, during the first half of the East West Shrine football game Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough warms up before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Cleveland Browns' David Blough throws a pass during an NFL football organized team activity session at the team's training facility Wednesday, May 22, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough (9) scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy, middle, smiles as he talks with Cardinals quarterbacks Jeff Driskel, left, and David Blough, right, during NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) looks downfield during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Purdue guard Jason King (72) and quarterback David Blough (11) celebrate a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Purdue quarterback David Blough against Minnesota in the first half of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) flips over Green Bay Packers defensive back Chandon Sullivan (39) at the 1-yard line during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2015, file photo, Purdue's Austin Appleby (12) tosses the football to Markell Jones during an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in West Lafayette, Ind. Appleby is likely to reclaim the starting job he lost earlier this season if redshirt freshman David Blough can't play against Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 28 after leaving last weekend's game with a concussion. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) talks with wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) after connecting with Golladay on a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
- High praise for Bill.
Most of Blough's press conference centered around Daniels and his impact on the offense, but he was asked about other players on that side of the ball. When asked about running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Blough said he saw "flashes" and thinks the young player has more to contribute.
"I think it's really exciting to think about what he can look like in a second year behind this offensive line. And I think we've got one running back signed, so there will definitely be acquisitions that take place there."
Croskey-Merritt was one of the more consistent weapons for the Commanders last season and had a solid performance with 805 yards and eight touchdowns. He was at his best in the final four games of the year, rushing for 255 yards and three scores while averaging 5.1 yards per carry in that stretch.
Of course, Washington's running back room could undergo drastic changes in 2026 since Croskey-Merritt is the only player under contract at the position. Blough acknowledged as much, saying there will "definitely" be some new additions, but it sounds like that won't affect Croskey-Merritt's potential in the offense.
"It depends exactly kind of how the room looks, but man, incredibly confident in what Bill can be in this league as a starting running back."
- He wants to elevate the entire offense.
It's fair that much of Blough's press conference pertained to Daniels and his development. He is the starting quarterback, and any success the offense has will depend upon him. However, there are 10 other positions that Blough is now responsible for, and he wants to make sure everyone maximizes their skill set.
"I think I'm gonna try to bring out the best in everybody. I think whether it's coaches or players, there's gonna be standards set with regard to excellence and holding those guys to it."
Although there is some work to do during the offseason through free agency and the draft, Blough said he feels "really good" about the players under contract. We've already mentioned how he praised Croskey-Merritt, but he also highlighted cornerstone pieces like Terry McLaurin as well as left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Blough said it's the coaching staff's challenge to get the best out of every player, from those on the offensive line to the pass catchers.
That work starts immediately, as he and the coaching staff try to evaluate each player's next steps.
"I think we got a long way to go, but I think it's going to be a fun construction process."
- He wants to build a collaborative atmosphere.
Blough is getting ready to take on the task of creating a new playbook for the Commanders' offense. He described it as a chance to "build it up from the studs" in order to get the most out of the personnel. Although Blough is the leader in that effort, he won't be alone, as he wants to bring in multiple voices to create the best system.
"Being able to pull the collective so that we can all collaborate together and make this the best possible thing is what's really stimulating right now."
Daniels has been a key voice in that discussion. He said during his tour of Radio Row prior to the Super Bowl that he had been "very vocal" about what he wants to do, and Blough has made it clear that he wants to build the offense around his skill set. Blough and Daniels' relationship was a key selling point for him being the team's offensive coordinator, and that bond continues to be strong in Blough's new role.
"There's already deposits in that bank that we can pull from," Blough said. "A lot of those conversations have been had over the last two years. So, it's not starting exactly from square one. I think as much as we can, we're gonna keep some continuity of the way he's called things, and then we gotta build on it."
