For the first half of this season, the Washington Commanders were breaking offensive records. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels looked like the next NFL superstar but over the last few weeks, the offense hasn’t been as dominant.
There are reasons. Daniels suffered a rib injury in the Week 7 win over Carolina, missed some critical practice time, and has been less sharp in recent weeks. The Commanders have also played a more difficult schedule, facing two of the NFL’s top defenses in the past two games.
Others believe Washington’s recent offensive slowdown is due to teams figuring out offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. In his history at Texas Tech and with the Arizona Cardinals, some of Kingsbury’s teams haven’t been as effective in the second half of seasons.
Context is required, though. Kingsbury’s teams sometimes had terrible defenses or injuries, particularly at quarterback. Regardless, there is a bit of a trend.
Kingsbury met with the media on Thursday and was asked about those trends. He said he has no plans to break those trends, and he’d need to see “what years” the offensive declines occurred.
He then offered a solution.
“I was thinking about doing triple option,” Kingsbury said. “We’re going to do what we do.”
Kingsbury asked by @Sam4TR about trend of his offenses 2nd half decline
“I would have to see what you’re talking about…the references, but I don’t have any plans to do anything to break that trend…”
Jokes, “I was thinking about doing triple option”@JPFinlayNBCS#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/xN7Wo22gJo
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) November 21, 2024
We think Kingsbury was joking, but no offensive coordinator in the NFL has been more creative this season. In looking at Washington’s offense the past few weeks, Kingsbury’s schemes and play-calling have not been the problem. It’s been the execution.
Don’t be surprised if the Commanders run the triple option on a play or two this week, either.