Report: After spurning Raiders, Kliff Kingsbury is 'top candidate' for another OC job

After withdrawing his name from consideration for the Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator job, Kliff Kingsbury has emerged as a top candidate for the same position with the Washington Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Saturday.

It is an interesting development, not only because Kingsbury seemed destined for the Las Vegas job, but also because Washington already has a highly thought-of coordinator under contract in Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy still has one year remaining on his deal, but new head coach Dan Quinn might want to bring in his own staff.

Kingsbury's most recent NFL coaching experience was as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals through the end of the 2022 season. After being fired, he spent 2023 season working as the quarterbacks coach and an offensive analyst for USC. It was there that he worked with one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams. 

Kingsbury has worked extensively in the past with young quarterbacks at both the NCAA and NFL levels. Kyler Murray was his quarterback in Arizona, while he also worked with Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes in the college ranks.

The Commanders have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and seem likely to take a quarterback, whether it be Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels. 

Sam Howell was Washington's starter this season, and while he showed some promise and had some strong moments, the Commanders may not want to pass on the rare opportunity to land a potential franchise quarterback.