Kliff Kingsbury’s brutally honest take on Commanders' struggles will turn heads

Things haven't clicked for the Washington Commanders through six games of the season. Every win has been immediately followed by a defeat. Dan Quinn's squad is 3-3 heading into a tough stretch of games, and there are also some significant injury problems being navigated to further raise concern.

Everything seems off. Nothing is consistent, and murmurs of discontent are starting to envelop the fan base. This is not the start they had in mind after reaching the NFC Championship game in 2024. However, there is still time to turn things around if the players demonstrate the correct resolve and the execution improves.

Tensions are growing, and the time for big talk is over if it can't be backed up. Coaches are getting increasingly frustrated, and the players aren't responding nearly as well as they did last season.

Kliff Kingsbury saw Commanders' problems coming a mile away

Kliff Kingsbury is among those who aren't happy with the way things are unfolding. When the offensive coordinator was asked about why things aren't quite clicking right now, his blunt response was short, but it raised a few eyebrows within the team's passionate support.

We haven’t practiced consistently as a unit since before training camp.Kliff Kingsbury

This isn't the first time that Kingsbury has called out absences throughout the summer. He forewarned that this would impact chemistry, and he's been proven right so far. Calling for wide receiver Terry McLaurin to make his practice return after a lengthy contract standoff was just a subtle swipe, but it had a much more critical meaning attached.

Kingsbury knew that this could upset the momentum. With Noah Brown out through injury and the offensive line going through some upheaval, the need to gain valuable reps before competitive action was crucial. Couple this with running back Brian Robinson Jr. being traded to the San Francisco 49ers and Austin Ekeler going out with a torn Achilles after two weeks, and the problems were there for all to see.

The former Arizona Cardinals head coach is not in the business of making excuses. Kingsbury is a problem-solver. He's an innovative mind forced to play the difficult hand he's been dealt. And if the same inconsistencies continue, he'll point squarely at the lack of preparation time with his preferred offensive unit as a big reason why.

McLaurin held out for his money. Brown's injuries have become all too familiar. Sam Cosmi was always going to miss considerable time. Everything else is just bad luck.

Kingsbury will have to roll with the punches. But there is no doubt that margins are getting finer for everyone in Washington if they want to meet raised expectations.