Kliff Kingsbury was initially reported to join the Las Vegas Raiders as offensive coordinator. But after a few days after multiple media sources divulged that report, he took his name off the list of candidates. After that 180-degree turn, Kingsbury will join the Washington Commanders instead.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted the news about Kingsbury joining the Commanders. At the same time, Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reported that Kingsbury and the Commanders have agreed to terms with his contract.
Commanders are hiring Kliff Kingsbury as their new offensive coordinator, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 5, 2024
The former quarterback will return to the NFL sidelines after coaching the Arizona Cardinals from 2019 to 2022. Kingsbury will join Dan Quinn's staff along with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
The Commanders have an interesting dynamic because they have the second overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft. That position allows them to select 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.
Reuniting Williams with Kingsbury will depend on what the Chicago Bears will do with the first overall pick. The Bears got the selection after the Carolina Panthers traded for last year's number-one pick to select Bryce Young.
Last season, Kingsbury was the University of Southern California's senior offensive analyst under Lincoln Riley. It allowed him to maintain Williams' status as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2024 draft.
But Chicago has the leverage if Washington wants Williams, especially if they are keen on moving on from Justin Fields. The Commanders must trade up for the number one pick to guarantee the Williams-Kingsbury reunion.
Kingsbury has a 28-37-1 head coaching record with the Cardinals. He had one winning season, which ended in a Wild Card Round loss against the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, he had a 35-40 record in six seasons as Texas Tech head coach. Despite having Patrick Mahomes as a quarterback, he had one winning season and one bowl-game victory.
--Lance Fernandez