January 27, 2026
Washington Commanders running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a fantasy darling during draft season last fall when the team's RB picture was unsettled. His fantasy stock rose even further after
Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending injury early in the year. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder ended up leading the team in carries (175), rushing yards (805), and rushing touchdowns (eight), but he was the RB29 in half-PPR scoring, and he averaged just 8.2 half-PPR points per game in his 17 contests. It didn't help JCM's cause that starting quarterback
Jayden Daniels missed most of the season with various injuries. Croskey-Merritt had two 100-yard games in his rookie season, but he also failed to eclipse 50 rushing yards in a game 12 times. The Commanders will have a new offensive coordinator in 2026, and it's hard to say how they'll attack the RB position in free agency and the draft. Croskey-Merritt will have a role next year, but there's a good chance he'll be more of a committee back than a workhorse.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 25, 2026
Minnesota Vikings defensive passing-game coordinator Daronte Jones will interview with the Washington Commanders on Sunday for their vacant defensive-coordinator position, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Jones has interviewed for several defensive-coordinator jobs around the league this cycle, including the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, before they filled their openings. Jones has been with the Vikings since 2022 and has had his current title since 2023. He also served as the DC at LSU in 2021 and has worked as a defensive backs coach for the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins. The Vikings' defense ranked seventh in points allowed per game and led the league in passing yards allowed per game in 2025 under Jones. The Commanders are looking to replace Joe Whitt Jr., who was fired after the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 23, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin interviewed for the Washington Commanders' defensive-coordinator position, sources told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Austin has been the Steelers' DC since 2022, and before that, he served in the same role with the Detroit Lions from 2014 to 2017 and with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018. Pittsburgh's defense was a little shaky under Austin in 2025, but he led the unit to top-10 finishes in points allowed three times and top-15 finishes in yards allowed twice. There's a good chance that Austin won't be back in the Steel City after Mike Tomlin's resignation last week. The Commanders are looking to replace Joe Whitt Jr. Under Whitt in 2025, Washington's D allowed the sixth-most points per game (26.5), the most total yards per game (384), the fifth-most passing yards per game (242.5), and the third-most rushing yards per game (141.8).
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
January 13, 2026
The Washington Commanders are hoping to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for their vacant defensive-coordinator job, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Flores' contract is up in Minnesota, allowing him to look at similar jobs around the league. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is confident that Flores will return to his DC job in Minnesota, unless he lands a head-coaching gig somewhere. Washington is looking to replace both their offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason after moving on from Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr., respectively, after the 2025 season. Flores is expected to interview for the Baltimore Ravens' head-coaching job this week. In his three years as head coach of the Dolphins, Flores went 24-25 before being fired after the 2021 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 9, 2026
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury didn't share the same offensive vision for the future, multiple team and league sources told ESPN's John Keim. According to these sources, Quinn "wanted a different offensive identity" and spoke with his staff about "wanting a better run-pass balance." The Commanders finished ninth in number of rushes, but they ranked 25th in carries by running backs in 2025. Quarterback
Jayden Daniels developed a special relationship with Kingsbury, but he also has a strong relationship with former QBs coach
David Blough, who has been promoted to take Kingsbury's job. It was a disappointing 2025 for the entire organization, but perhaps more so for Daniels, who was limited to seven games with three different injuries. Washington's offense will seek more balance under Blough next year, but if Daniels is going to bounce back to how he played in his impressive rookie campaign, he's going to need to get healthy first.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - John Keim
January 9, 2026
The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala reports that former NFL quarterback
David Blough is taking over as the Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator. Blough was a practice-squad QB for the Detroit Lions just two years ago, but he quickly transitioned to coaching as Washington's assistant quarterbacks coach and helped fill in when QBs coach Tavita Pritchard left for Stanford. Blough is a quick riser and a bright offensive talent, but he'll have big shoes to fill in his new role in D.C. after Kliff Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways with the organization to pursue another head-coaching job. He has worked closely with young QB
Jayden Daniels and will need to continue to develop his relationship with him as Daniels heads into his third NFL season. During his playing career, Blough played for Kingsbury, Bears head coach Ben Johnson, and Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
January 8, 2026
Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore was arrested on Wednesday night in Lakewood, Ohio, on charges of carrying concealed weapons and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, according to police. "We have been made aware of the arrest and are gathering more information. We are in communication with the NFL League Office and have no further comment at this time," the Commanders said in a statement. The 29-year-old defensive back suffered a season-ending ACL injury in November of 2025 and played in only nine games for the Commanders this year as a result. The four-time Pro Bowler won Defensive Rookie of the Year back in 2017 with the New Orleans Saints after he was taken 11th overall that year out of Ohio State. Lattimore could be facing a short suspension for his actions to begin the 2026 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: WKYC - Anna Meyer
January 6, 2026
Key Washington Commanders offensive players, including quarterback
Jayden Daniels, are disappointed with the team's decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Daniels vouched for Kingsbury during his season-ending press conference on Monday and was among those "blindsided by the move." Commanders players figured the only way Kingsbury would leave is if he got a head-coaching job, and that's what he's seeking to do this offseason. The 25-year-old Daniels was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 under Kingsbury, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while also rushing for 891 yards and six more TDs in 17 regular-season games. While Washington's offense was still efficient in 2025, Daniels' season was a disappointment after playing in only seven games due to injuries. His fantasy stock is now trending down because of his injuries and the fact that he'll be learning a new offense heading into Year 3.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
January 6, 2026
The Washington Commanders fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. on Tuesday, according to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan. The Commanders also "mutually" parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury following the 2025 season, so head coach Dan Quinn will be looking for two new coordinators this offseason. The firing of Whitt doesn't come as a big surprise, as the Commanders' defense was a weak spot all season long. Whitt followed Quinn to the nation's capital after working with him in Dallas. Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties midway through the 2025 season, which is why Whitt's firing at the end of the year doesn't come as a surprise to most. Washington allowed the sixth-most points per game (26.5) this year while also surrendering the most yards per game (384), fifth-most passing yards per game (242.5), and third-most rushing yards per game (141.8).
--Keith HernandezSource: 106.7 The Fan - Grant Paulsen
January 6, 2026
The Washington Commanders are "mutually" parting ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, according to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan. In addition to Kingsbury, the Commanders also fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt, so they will be looking for two new coordinators this offseason under head coach Dan Quinn. Kingsbury was with the Commanders the last two seasons. He was the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2019-22 and will most likely be seeking another head-coaching opportunity going into the 2026 season, with six vacancies around the league. Kingsbury's departure from the nation's capital is a big deal, as quarterback
Jayden Daniels (elbow), who missed most of his sophomore season due to injuries, will have to learn a new offense going into Year 3.
--Keith HernandezSource: 106.7 The Fan - Grant Paulsen
January 2, 2026
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Treylon Burks (illness) was able to practice in full on Friday and was removed from the Week 18 injury report. Burks will play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles figure to be resting key starters on both sides of the ball with a playoff spot already locked up, but that still won't be enough to make Burks a fantasy recommendation for Week 18 lineups. Quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) will miss a second straight game due to multiple injuries, leaving journeyman signal-caller
Josh Johnson to run the offense in just his second start all year. In last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Burks caught just one of two targets from Johnson for 11 yards. There should be much better receiving options for fantasy managers still competing for a title.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
January 2, 2026
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn officially named
Josh Johnson as the team's starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Veteran
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) will miss a second straight game to close out the year. Even though the Eagles will be resting key starters this weekend, Johnson will be hard-pressed to help fantasy managers without left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) available. The 39-year-old signal-caller made his first start of the year in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys and went 15-for-23 passing for 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Even in two-QB leagues this weekend, fantasy managers should have better options to choose from than Johnson.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Tashan Reed
January 2, 2026
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota was a stretch to make it back to play in the final game of the year after injuring his hand in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles. The 32-year-old veteran was held out of the Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 and will now miss a second straight game to end the year. Journeyman QB
Josh Johnson will make a second straight start for the Commanders. Mariota ended up playing in 11 games (eight starts) this year while filling in for the injured
Jayden Daniels, and he held his own, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 297 yards on the ground and a TD.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
January 2, 2026
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been a productive player across 12 games this season, recording 435 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 96 carries. However, the 25-year-old has been in-and-out of his team's lineup in recent weeks, missing Week 15 with a groin injury and Week 17 with an illness. In his absence, Rodriguez Jr. may have had his role in the Washington backfield usurped by rookie back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Over the last three weeks, Croskey-Merritt has racked up 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries. Rodriguez Jr. is expected to return for Washington's Week 18 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he'll likely still see some touches. However, the Commanders may opt to split touches between Rodriguez Jr. and Croskey-Merritt evenly, or ride the hot hand with the rookie.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 1, 2026
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (illness) was able to practice in full on Thursday after he was held out due to illness on Wednesday. Croskey-Merritt had his second 100-yard game and two rushing touchdowns in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, with
Chris Rodriguez Jr. out due to illness. Rodriguez is back in the fold for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, though, so fantasy managers will want to lower expectations for Croskey-Merritt in the final game of his rookie season. The 24-year-old JCM could be Washington's lead back against the Eagles, but Rodriguez's presence will definitely cap the rookie's upside this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: Commanders.com
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