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Report: Dan Quinn had issues with Kliff Kingsbury

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 5:43 PM ET

The Washington Commanders on Tuesday parted ways with Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator. There were apparently some legitimate reasons for the move, at least as far as head coach Dan Quinn is concerned.

Grant Paulsen, who is a host for 106.7 The Fan in Washington D.C., reported on Tuesday about the situation. He says that one of the biggest issues Quinn had with Kingsbury concerned the balance of runs vs. passes in the Commanders’ offense. Furthermore, Paulsen says Quinn wants someone who runs a traditional offense to help with Jayden Daniels’ development.

I'm told Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury disagreed over several things; run-pass balance being high on the list.

It also seems like DQ has a different vision for what's best for the long-term development of Jayden Daniels. Kliff runs a very unique, college-like system. DQ may…
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 6, 2026

The change in feelings towards Kingsbury represent a dramatic shift from 2024.

The Commanders went 12-5 last season, in what was Quinn’s first season on the job and Daniels’ rookie year. Kingsbury’s offense was 5th in the NFL in points and 7th in yards. All seemed great. But in 2025, Daniels got hurt and only played in 7 games. The Commanders went 5-12 and fell to 22nd in the league in offensive yards and points scored.

Someone had to answer for the Commanders’ negative season, and it was Kingsbury. And what worked and looked great in 2024 didn’t go as well in 2025, and now he’s out of a job.

Daniels passed for 1,262 yards, 8 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, with 278 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns this season. As a rookie, he passed for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, while adding 891 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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