Brian Flores signs extension to stay with Vikings as DC; I’m only leaving for a job in HC
The Washington Commanders were the only team that Vikings DC Brian Flores interviewed with for a defensive coordinator position. He’s focused on becoming a head coach again, and he won’t leave Minnesota unless he gets the opportunity. Flores’ contract expired after that season, but he signed an extension, taking him off the DC market.
Anthony Lynn gets head coaching interview
Anthony Lynn hasn’t been a head coach since 2020, when he was fired by the Los Angeles Chargers after four seasons, but has his first interview opportunity with the Buffalo Bills. He was hired by the Washington Commanders as the running game coordinator. Lynn was part of Dan Quinn’s new coaching staff and he brought a lot of experience as a former player, running backs coach, offensive coordinator and his two tenures as head coach.
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The Bills gave him his first taste of the head coaching job, but it was in an interim capacity after Rex Ryan was fired. He was a finalist to keep the job that ultimately went to recently fired Sean McDermott, and now has another chance at the full-time job. Lynn was not interviewed for the Commanders OC position which was given to assistant QB coach David Blough.
Darnell Stapleton and Shane Toub promoted
The Commanders fired OL coach Bobby Johnson the same day they parted ways with former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and are now promoting Johnson’s OL assistant coach to his former position. Darnell Stapleton is the new Commanders coach at OL, and offensive quality control coach Shane Toub will be his new assistant.
Stapleton built a strong relationship with Blough during their final two years together as assistant coaches in Washington. Stapleton was well-liked by the players, heavily involved in pass protection and helping with game planning.
Danny Etling hired as assistant QB coach
The Washington Commanders have hired their third new offensive coach, adding former NFL QB Danny Etling as an assistant QB coach. He will work under new offensive coordinator David Blough and QB coach DJ Williams. Blough received the promotion to backup QB at OC following the departure of Kliff Kingsbury earlier this month. Etling has never played in an NFL regular season game and spent the last two seasons in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers. This will be his first coaching position after retiring from football. Etling and Blough were teammates at Purdue University.
DJ Williams hired as QB Coach to replace Tavita Pritchard and work under David Blough
The Commanders front office has been looking for a QB coach since David Blough’s promotion was announced last week. Today, Adam Schefter and others announced the hiring of DJ Williams, son of Washington legend Doug Williams, for the role.
After 2 years of entry-level work with the Saints, Williams joined the NFL coaching ranks as an offensive assistant for New Orleans in 2019. Williams was hired as an assistant quarterbacks coach for the Falcons in 2024 and promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025. Atlanta’s staff is in flux following the firing of head coach Raheem Morris, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is considered an attractive candidate for a number of teams trying to replace defensive coordinators, including commanders.
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DJ is the first new coach to join David Blough’s team. The Commanders also interviewed Panthers assistant quarterback coach Mike Bercovici for the position.
Brian Flores in interview today
Washington’s commanders were hoping to interview the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator, and that’s happening today. His contract is expiring, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has already said he would like him to return if he doesn’t get the opportunity to become head coach again during this hiring cycle. The Commanders could use a coach with Flores’ pedigree, but he is in high demand and many people expect him to stay in Minnesota.
Washington interviews Seahawks DB passing game coach/coordinator Karl Scott
Washington’s commanders added another name to their defensive coordinator search list today. ESPN’s John Keim reports that he interviewed Seattle Seahawks DB passing game coach/coordinator Karl Scott for the position formerly held by Joe Whitt Jr. He has been coaching since 2007, but didn’t get an NFL job until 2021 as DBs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.
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Scott has been with the Seahawks since 2022 and is highly regarded around the league. The Seahawks have one of the best defenses in the league and have several players Washington may be interested in adding in free agency this year. Scott is also the only known candidate who doesn’t have experience as a DC.
Jonathan Gannon, former Cardinals HC/Eagles DC, scheduled for interview with DC
Dennard Wilson interviewed for DC position
Dennard Wilson is a veteran NFL coach who served as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans for the past two seasons. He is the latest name added to Washington’s commanders’ interview list for their open defensive coordinator position.
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Wilson, 43, is from Hyatteville, Md., went to DeMatha High School and played at Maryland. His only season in the NFL was with the Washington Redskins in 2004, playing safety on the practice squad. Wilson stepped in as coach after an injury ended his freshman season, returning to DeMatha as passing game coordinator and DBs coach. He spent two years as a graduate assistant at Maryland before getting his first opportunity to coach in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams as defensive quality control coach. Wilson spent time with the Jets, Eagles and Ravens, before landing his first coordinator job with the Titans in 2024.
Joe Cullen interviewed for DC position
Mike Garafolo reports that Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen interviewed with Washington to replace fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. This is the first time Cullen’s name has been mentioned nationally this cycle. In 2024, before Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City quietly signed him to a contract extension.
Cullen, 58, entered the NFL as a defensive assistant in 2006 with the Lions. He returned to the college ranks in 2009 before the Jaguars hired him as defensive line coach a year later. He also served as defensive line coach for the Browns (2013), Bucs (2014-15) and Ravens (2016-20) and joined the Chiefs in that role in 2022. In 2021, Cullen was the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator.
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It would seem his most obvious connection to Commanders decision-makers comes from his 3-year stint (’06-’08) as the Lions’ defensive line coach when assistant general manager Lance Newmark was in Detroit, but relationships in the NFL often run deep.
Original story
The Washington Commanders yesterday parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson. Further changes are expected with the hiring of two new coordinators. Kingsbury was expected to be retained as head coach, despite the Commanders’ 5-12 season, but conflicts over the offensive scheme reportedly led Washington to let him leave shortly after the season ended.
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There was more news from Washington yesterday, with Commanders assistant QB coach David Blough reportedly landing an interview with his former team, the Detroit Lions, for their newly vacated offensive coordinator position. Johnny Morton was fired after one season failing to live up to the legend of Ben Johnson.
Blough was seen as a young, up-and-coming coach who was being groomed to take over at OC when Kingsbury left for a bigger opportunity. QB coach Tavita Pritchard left Washington late last year to take the head coaching job at her alma mater, Stanford, and Blough assumed much of her responsibilities, alongside Brian Johnson. Blough, along with other coaches considered Kingsbury guys, could also leave the team after yesterday’s news.
Follow here for an update on Washington’s search and other searches around the league. Seven head coaches have already been fired, and a few of them could be candidates for the coordinator job in Washington.
