Washington Season Review Part 1: Offensive Decisions

Posted on by

January 9, 2026

by David Earl

Is Kliff Kingsbury Out the Right Move?

This was a season that many did not anticipate following an historic run to the NFC Championship last season. The season started with a lack of continuity on offense as a result of injuries to Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown for the majority of the early part of the season and losing their one true receiving threat out of the backfield, Austin Ekeler, in week 1. This would continue to be a theme for the season. Jayden Daniels himself just did not perform at the level was did last season. He did not show the same anticipation on his throws, the accuracy of ball placement was certainly erratic, and Daniels clearly did not see the field as fluidly as last season. The two glaring disparities are that Daniels dropped from a 60% completion percentage last year to 62.5% while his total QBR dropped from 67.7 to 51.8 this season through 6 games when compared to the 2024 season. Even his legs have not exactly been the same – he averaged 6 yards per rush last season compared to 4.9 this year, while his first-down conversion rushing rate dropped from 62.8% to 53.7% this season. Now does this fall on Kliff Kingbury not having any good continuity all season accompanied by a struggling quarterback, or does it show his inability to scheme and develop around his backup players skillset? Let’s compare the two seasons:

2024 Season Offensive Rank

  • Ranked 6th in points per game at 28.8
  • Ranked 10th average point differential margin per game at +4.0
  • Ranked 10th in yards per play at 5.7
  • Ranked 6th at yards per rush at 4.8 yards
  • Ranked 6th in completion percentage, at 68.91%
  • Ranked 7th in quarterback rating, at 101.8
  • Ranked 28th in pass play percentage of 60.05%

2025 Season Offensive Rank

  • Ranked 22nd in points per game at 20.9
  • Ranked 27th average point differential margin per game at -5.6
  • Ranked 12th in yards per play at 5.5
  • Ranked 5th at yards per rush at 4.7 yards
  • Ranked 26th in completion percentage, at 61.19%
  • Ranked 27th in quarterback rating, at 85.5
  • Ranked 29th in pass play percentage of 57.7%

Aside from rushing yards per attempt, Kingsbury’s offense took some significant dips in the 2025 season. They scored 8 points less per game average with a 5.6 point differential per game this season compared to a 4 point differential in the 2024 season. The play at the quarterback position also took a significant hit, completing far less passes while dropping from a 101.8 quarterback rating in the 2024 season to an 85.5 rating this season in a -16.3-point change. While I understand that injuries have played a key role here plus the inconsistent play of Daniels (when healthy) but Kingsbury did not make the necessary changes to his scheme to account for the deficiencies. Looking at the San Francisco 49ers season, they did not have their top wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, who missed the entire season, receiver Ricky Pearsall missed 8 games, tight end George Kittle missed 11 games and quarterback Brock Purdy missed 8 games. Even during such an injury riddle season offensively head coach and offensive coordinator Kyle Shannahan still managed to finish 10th, scoring 25.7 points per game and a passing game that finished the season ranked 6th with a 98.8 passer rating. Even with one of the leagues’ worst running games, which is unusual for a Shanahan run team, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, they are one of the top teams in the NFC playoffs. So yes, injuries and lack of continuity on offense is absolutely a factor but overcoming these obstacles and producing a playoff style offense like the 49ers is what Kingsbury could not manage. Was it warranted to let him walk? That answer will vary but just understand the excuses for offense can only go so far for him and Daniels.

There are some interesting names available, but some make the most sense. One popular name is Brain Daboll. His offenses in Buffalo ranked among the best in the NFL. In his 2020 season, the Buffalo Bills offense ranked 2nd averaging 31.3 points per game, 2nd averaging 396.4 yards per game and 288.8 passing yards per game. The following season his offenses were still ranked among the best ranking 3rd, 5th and 7th respectively. There are two aspects of that Buffalo offense, which reportedly Dan Quinn wanted to reproduce in Washington, a high-volume passing team (61% of the time) and a run game designed around the quarterback. I’d be surprised if Daboll was even considered an option for Dan Quinn. The top two names in my opinion would be 49ers offensive coordinator in Klay Kubiak, who has obvious ties to Adam Peters, and former head coach Mike McDaniel who has ties with Dan Quinn in Atlanta. Both are in the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree and would bring a high-powered offense run through a strong rushing attack. A couple of options would be to elevate David Blough, as that would bring continuity for Daniels or reach into the Sean McVay coaching tree for offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Yes, I see Klay Kubiak and LaFleur as viable options to make a lateral move in the position as both Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay are their respective team’s true play caller.

Should Deebo Samuel Stay or Go and Free Agent Targets

There is an unsatisfying taste in the mouth of some having Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin injured for a good portion of the season which is wide receiver Deebo Samuel. No, he did not produce 2021 season type number in 1,405 yards receiving on 77 catches and 365 yards rushing but he was effective considering the situation he had to play. Samuel is not a true number 1 wide receiver, yet he was forced to play that role, especially with the inconsistencies at the quarterback position plus the likes of a Chris Moore being the second-best wide receiver on the field at times. Even when wide receiver Luke McCaffrey was beginning to form a role in this offense he was lost for the season as well. So, should Washington bring Samuel back in a 2026 void year worth $12 million, or even restructure this final year, and see what this offense at full health can achieve in the 2026 season? There is a possibility Adam Peters would push for this receiving group of Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey and Trey Burks plus specialist Jaylin Lane, as that is certainly a solid group. That way he can focus heavy on defense in the draft while adding a player like tight end Isaiah Likely who would cost an average annual salary of approximately $9 million per year.

As I mentioned in my prior column, the running back position has two names that stick out the most, Travis Etienne from Jacksonville Jaguars and Breece Hall from the New York Jets. They both average similar 4.5 yards per carry with a bigger edge to Breece Hall in the passing game. In 9 fewer games, Hall has amassed more receptions (188 vs 167) and receiving yards (1642 vs 1332) while Hall has played in a far worse situations in New York. At the age of 25 years old, Hall would help solidify a strong running back core combined with Chris Rodriguez. This would allow Jacory Croskey-Merritt to develop into a productive piece over time as this team has got to start grooming these young pieces. This is a quick snapshot of the direction I believe would be best for Washington in this coming offseason.