Wes Welker To Remain On Commanders’ Staff In 2026

Among those was the confirmation that Wes Welker will remain with the Commanders for 2026. Welker joined Washington’s staff last April, holding the title of personnel analyst.

While Welker’s exact role for next season has not yet been clarified, he will work on the Commanders’ offensive staff (h/t JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington). Quinn said Welker helped out on special teams last season while Commanders assistant ST coordinator Brian Schneider battled cancer (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic).

As an NFL wide receiver from 2004-15, Welker’s expertise is on the offensive side of the ball. With 903 catches, 50 receiving touchdowns and five Pro Bowl nods, Welker enjoyed an especially impressive playing career. He began as a coach in 2017 with the Texans as an offensive/special teams assistant, a position he held for two seasons.

After his Houston tenure concluded, Welker went on to coach receivers for the next six seasons. He divided his time between San Francisco (2019-21) and Miami (2022-24), working alongside Mike McDaniel in both stops. Welker’s partnership with McDaniel ended when Quinn hired him.

Elsewhere on Washington’s staff, Quinn announced new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will have the authority to implement his own system (via Finlay). Jones, a first-time NFL DC, spent the past four years coaching the Vikings’ defensive backs. He’s replacing the fired Joe Whitt, who lost his job after a season in which Quinn stripped him of play-calling duties. Jones will take over for Quinn as the play-caller in 2026.

Washington’s Jones-led defensive staff will include William Gay as the cornerbacks coach and Darryl Tapp as an assistant D-line coach, per John Keim of ESPN. Gay, a longtime NFL corner, was the Commanders’ assistant DBs coach from 2024-25. Tapp was the Commanders’ line coach for the past two years, but the former defensive end will take a step back next season. He’ll work under new DL coach Eric Henderson.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.