Washington’s Chiefs offense is largely an unknown element this offseason, with offensive coordinator David Blough taking over the reins.
Blough, an undrafted quarterback from Purdue, spent five NFL seasons as a player, four in Detroit, one in Arizona, and made seven career starts – an 0-7 record. After spending 2023 on the Lions’ practice squad, he was hired by the Commanders as the assistant running backs coach, a role he held the past two years under Kliff Kingsbury before making a significant move to OC.
Bloough’s stock has skyrocketed. For a man to go from assistant coach to running the entire operation in three years is quite a leap. It underscores the league’s faith in Blough’s ability — he likely would be poached if Washington didn’t bring him to the big chair.
The 30-year-old has said everything right since he took over. He’s talked about diversifying the offense, moving under center with more regularity to initiate plays, moving his penalty lines around the lineup, etc. Everything has been shaded in a positive way. But for an OC with no game experience — working under a defensive-minded head coach — there are huge unknowns and questions heading into the season.
With the opening of OTAs, we’ll get some details on Blough’s offense, which starts with keeping Jayden Daniels healthy and keying Terry McLaurin in the passing game. Earlier this season, Blough said his job was to find a way to get his star receiver 10 targets a game.
Scary Terry likes to hear that.
“I love it. You know, he told me that back in February,” McLaurin said Tuesday of Blough’s comments, via JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington. “He sent me a message that he and I have a very good relationship. He’s been a man of his word. My job is to prove that every day, when we’re in training, to be a leader, to be someone you can count on to be on the court and play. That’s all I’ve asked for. phone.”
With the potential addition of Brandon Aiyuk still flapping in the wind, McLaurin is by far the top target in a receiving room that includes Antonio Williams, Trelon Burks, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Van Jefferson, et al.
Early in the offseason, McLaurin can already tell Blough’s offense will be different from the one Kingsbury ran — as the former OC was often criticized for the lack of movement in his offense. McLaurin said it’s already clear he’ll be the focal point of the program.
“From OTAs and stuff, I could definitely tell that would be a part of it, along with the other guys as well,” he said. “You know, there will be opportunities for me to cover Chig [Chigoziem Okonkwo] and for, you know, Trey [Treylon Burks] and you know, Bill [Croskey-Merritt] and just so many other guys in our parish. I think it’s cool when you have a piece that has a variety of looks and shapes that can make things look the same and marry together. It gives everyone a chance because the defense has to worry about you being in the receiving position: one, two and three to the left or right. Do you know what I mean? There’s just so many different combinations we can do now that I feel like it frees up a lot of people.”
Offenses should be most concerned about McLaurin beating them. It’s up to Blough to make sure he creates an environment where his loose ends can be released, even when defenders know he will be forced.