Report: After spurning Raiders, Kliff Kingsbury is ‘top candidate’ for another OC job

Kliff Kingsbury has emerged as a leading contender for the same role with the Washington Commanders after removing his name from consideration for the offensive coordinator post with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN on Saturday.

Not only did Kingsbury seem destined for the Las Vegas position, but Eric Bieniemy, Washington’s highly regarded coordinator, is already under contract. This is an intriguing situation. Bieniemy’s contract is still valid for one year, but Dan Quinn, the incoming head coach, may want to bring in his own staff. Serving as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals through the end of the 2022 season was Kingsbury’s most recent NFL coaching experience. He worked as USC’s offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach in 2023 after being fired. There, he worked with Caleb Williams, one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Kingsbury has a lot of experience working with young quarterbacks in the NFL and NCAA. In addition to working with Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes in college, he had quarterback Kyler Murray in Arizona.

With the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, the Commanders are probably going to select a quarterback, either Williams, Jayden Daniels of LSU, or Drake Maye of North Carolina.

Sam Howell started for Washington this season, and although he had some solid performances and had some promise, the Commanders might not want to miss this unique chance to acquire a future franchise quarterback.