Washington Commanders Coaching Search Stalled as Brian Flores Shocks NFL, Extends with Vikings

Change is the only constant in the NFL coaching carousel — and Washington Commanders fans have every right to feel a mix of anticipation and nerves as the team undergoes a significant shakeup. Brian Flores, the Vikings’ savvy defensive coordinator, has made a commitment to stay put unless a head coaching spot beckons, effectively locking down a coveted name in the coaching market. Meanwhile, Anthony Lynn is eyeing a head coaching comeback after years away from the top job, with the Bills giving him a fresh shot at the big leagues. Over in Washington, fresh faces are stepping into key roles—Darnell Stapleton moves up to offensive line coach with Shane Toub as his right hand, while former NFL quarterback Danny Etling joins as assistant QB coach, reuniting with OC David Blough. Not to mention, the ongoing hunt for the perfect defensive coordinator name continues with interviews featuring established coaches like Joe Cullen, as well as up-and-coming talents such as Karl Scott. The Commanders are clearly reshaping their ranks with an eye on the future, weaving a complex narrative that’s as much about relationships and timing as it is about X’s and O’s. Want the full story on these pivotal moves and the potentially seismic impact on the Commanders’ next chapter? LEARN MORE

Brian Flores signs extension to stay with Vikings as DC; only leaving for HC job

The Washington Commanders were the only team that Vikings DC Brian Flores interviewed with for a defensive coordinator position. He has been focused on becoming a head coach again, and he’s only going to leave Minnesota if he gets that opportunity. Flores’s contract was up after this season, but he’s signed an extension, taking him off the DC market.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has signed a contract extension with the Vikings. If he does not receive a head coaching job this cycle, he will be back as the team’s defensive coordinator.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2026

Anthony Lynn gets a head coaching interview

Anthony Lynn hasn’t been a head coach since 2020 when he was fired by the Los Angeles Chargers after four seasons, but has his first interview opportunity with the Buffalo Bills. He was hired by the Washington Commanders as their run game coordinator. Lynn was part of Dan Quinn’s new coaching staff, and he brought a lot of experience as a former player, running backs coach, offensive coordinator, and his two stints as a head coach.

The Bills gave him his first taste of being a head coach, but it was on an interim basis after Rex Ryan was fired. He was a finalist to keep the job that eventually went to recently-fired Sean McDermott, and now gets another chance to get the gig full-time. Lynn was not interviewed for the Commanders OC job which went to assistant QB coach David Blough.

Former Bills assistant head coach and current Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn — a finalist for the Buffalo head coaching job in 2017 that went to Sean McDermott — is scheduled to interview for the Bills head coach job Saturday, per a league source.

Back in 2017,… pic.twitter.com/ctgZnTiFuS

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2026

Darnell Stapleton and Shane Toub promoted

The Commanders fired OL coach Bobby Johnson on the same day they parted ways with former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and are now promoting Johnson’s assistant OL coach to his old job. Darnell Stapleton is the Commanders new OL coach, and offensive quality control coach Shane Toub will be his new assistant.

Stapleton built up a strong rapport with Blough over their last two years together as assistant positional coaches in Washington. Stapleton was well-liked by players, heavily involved in pass protections and helped with game planning.

Sources: Commanders are naming Darnell Stapleton offensive line coach and Shane Toub assistant OL coach. Promotions for both. Stapleton has worked closely with new OC David Blough and been a big part of Washington’s game
planning and protection plans the last two years.

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 19, 2026

Danny Etling hired as assistant QB coach

The Washington Commanders have hired their third new coach on offense, adding former NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant QB coach. He will work under new offensive coordinator David Blough and QB coach D.J. Williams. Blough was given the promotion from assistant QB to OC after Kliff Kingsbury’s departure earlier this month. Etling never played in a regular season NFL game, and spent the last two seasons in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers. This will be his first coaching job after retiring from playing football. Etling and Blough were teammates in college at Purdue.

The #Commanders are hiring former LSU and NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant quarterbacks coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Was a 2018 draft pick of the Patriots and then spent six seasons in the NFL as a player. Now set to return to the NFL as a coach. pic.twitter.com/sWehXJjedo

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 16, 2026

D.J. Williams hired as QB Coach to replace Tavita Pritchard and to work under David Blough

The Commanders front office has been searching for a QB coach ever since announcing David Blough’s promotion last week. Today Adam Schefter and others reported the hiring of D.J. Williams, son of Washington legend Doug Williams, for the role.

Commanders are hiring former Falcons QBs coach D.J. Williams as their QB coach, per sources. D.J. is the son of Washington legend Doug Williams, an executive in the Commanders’ front office.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2026

After 2 years of entry level work in with the Saints, Williams joined the NFL coaching ranks as an offensive assistant for New Orleans in 2019. Williams was hired as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Falcons in 2024, and promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025. The Atlanta staff is in flux following the firing of head coach Raheem Morris, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is seen as an attractive candidate for a number of teams trying to replace defensive coordinators, including the Commanders.

D.J. is the first new coach to join David Blough’s staff. The Commanders also interviewed Mike Bercovici, the Panthers assistant quarterback coach, for the position.

Brian Flores interviewing today

The Washington Commanders were hoping to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, and that is happening today. His contract is expiring, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has already said he’d like him back if he doesn’t get an opportunity to be a head coach again during this hiring cycle. The Commanders could use someone of Flores’s coaching pedigree, but he is in high demand, and a lot of people expect him to stay in Minnesota.

Washington interviews Seahawks DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott

The Washington Commanders added another name to their defensive coordinator search list today. ESPN’s John Keim reports they have interviewed Seattle Seahawks DBs coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott for the position formerly held by Joe Whitt Jr. He has been coaching since 2007, but didn’t get a job in the NFL until 2021 as a DBs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Scott has been with the Seahawks since 2022, and is highly-regarded around the league. The Seahawks have one of the top defenses in the league, and have several players Washington could be interested in adding in free agency this year. Scott is also the only known candidate who doesn’t have past experience as a DC.

Washington interviewed Seattle DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott per me and @BradyHenderson for their defensive coordinator opening. He’s the only one they’ve interviewed without prior DC experience. They will meet with Jonathan Gannon Thursday.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 14, 2026

Former Cardinals HC/Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon scheduled for DC interview

Dennard Wilson interviewed for DC job

Dennard Wilson is a veteran NFL coach who was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans the last two seasons. He is the latest name added to the Washington Commanders interview list for their open defensive coordinator position.

Wilson, 43, is a Hyatteville, MD native went to DeMatha High School and played at Maryland. His only season in the NFL was with the Washington Redskins in 2004, playing safety on the practice squad. Wilson entered coaching after an injury ended his first season, going back to DeMatha as their passing game coordinator & DBs coach. He spent two years as a graduate assistant at Maryland before getting his first opportunity to coach in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams as a defensive quality control coach. Wilson spent time with the Jets, Eagles, and Ravens, before getting his first coordinator job with the Titans in 2024.

Joe Cullen interviewed for DC job

Mike Garafolo reports that Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen has interviewed with Washington as the replacement for fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. This is the first time Cullen’s name has been mentioned nationally this cycle. Back in 2024, prior to Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City quietly inked him to a contract extension.

Cullen, 58, entered the NFL as a defensive assistant in 2006 with the Lions. He returned to the college ranks in 2009 before the Jaguars hired him as their defensive line coach a year later. He also was the defensive line coach for the Browns (2013), Bucs (2014-15), Ravens (2016-20) and joined the Chiefs in that role in 2022. In 2021, Cullen was the defensive coordinator of the Jaguars.

It would seem that his most obvious link to the Commanders decision-makers may have come from his 3-year stint (’06-‘08) as the Lions defensive line coach when Asst GM Lance Newmark was in Detroit, but relationships in the NFL often run deep.

The #Commanders have interviewed #Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. He is a long-time D-line guru and was previously the #Jaguars DC.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 9, 2026

Just launched my 2026 NFL Coaching Staff Tracker. Update every team’s HC, OC, and DC hires in one place. Includes coach stats, EPA rankings, and full coaching tree relationships (parents, siblings, uncles, nephews) to help you build the perfect staff.https://t.co/LnuugqOZId pic.twitter.com/A9pNlwKIoE

— Jake Cardonick (@JakeCar120) January 19, 2026

Original story

The Washington Commanders moved on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson yesterday. There are more changes expected with two new coordinators set to be hired. Kingsbury was expected to get head coaching consideration, despite the Commanders 5-12 season, but conflicts about offensive scheme reportedly led Washington to let him go shortly after the season ended.

There was more news from Washington yesterday, with Commanders assistant QB coach David Blough reportedly getting an interview with his former team, the Detroit Lions, for their newly-vacated offensive coordinator job. Johnny Morton was fired after one season of not being able to live up to the legend of Ben Johnson.

Blough was seen as a young, upcoming coach who was being groomed to take over OC when Kingsbury left for a bigger opportunity. QB coach Tavita Pritchard left Washington late last year for the head coaching position at his alma mater, Stanford, and Blough took on a lot of his responsibilities, along with Brian Johnson. Blough, along with other coaches that were seen as Kingsbury guys could also exit after yesterday’s news.

Follow along here for update from Washington’s search, and from other searches around the league. Seven head coaches have already been fired, and a few of them could be candidates for Washington’s coordinator openings.

Washington Commanders Rumors

Commanders requested an interview with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for their defensive coordinator job, per source. pic.twitter.com/jRL82TZGcn

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026

NFL Coaching Rumors

Kliff Kingsbury HC interviews

Raheem Morris

Former Falcons HC Raheem Morris now has confirmed head coach interviews in the next week with Cardinals, Giants and Titans, per sources. pic.twitter.com/neoRMlRAQ6

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026