Kliff Kingsbury speaks to the media before OTAs
The Washington Commanders are back in Ashburn for Phase 3 of offseason activities(OTAs). which started yesterday. Today was the first day of media availability, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was the first coach behind the mic to answer questions about his second year with Washington.
He was asked about his decision to stay with the Commanders for another year, and not pursue one of the many open head coaching jobs around the NFL and college. He said head coach Dan Quinn has created a tremendous culture here, and he’s excited about continuing to learn from this coaching staff. Working with Jayden Daniels for another year is obviously another plus for staying in Washington as he potentially looks for another head coaching job in the near future.
Daniels has looked like he’s bulked up this offseason, which he talked about as a goal after the season. Kingsbury has noticed, and said his arm strength is better. Last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, is determined to continue improving, and is looking for any advantage to get further than last year’s results.
Building up the offensive line is a key part to keeping Daniels healthy, and staying competitive with the top teams in the division, the conference, and the rest of the NFL. Kingsbury said building the lines is a key to winning. He left a note for GM Adam Peters to draft Josh Conerly Jr, and the team also made a big trade for new LT Laremy Tunsil. Kingsbury said the sky’s the limit for the rookie tackle, and he has a competitive spirit with a desire to be great.
Kliff Kingsbury
LIVE: OC Kliff Kingsbury speaks to the media before today’s OTA https://t.co/qEi9i4Uw3x
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 28, 2025
Staying with Washington and not pursuing head coaching opportunities:
Kliff Kingsbury, on why he wanted to stay in Washington: “DQ has created a tremendous culture. … Excited to continue to learn from DQ and these other coaches and continue to try to build this thing.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 28, 2025
Josh Conerly Jr:
Kliff Kingsbury addressing the media before practice. Said Conerly has a competitive spirit ad desire to be great. “The sky’s the limit for the talent.”
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 28, 2025
Kliff Kingsbury on taking OL Josh Conerly Jr. in 1st round:
“You see in our division the team who just won the whole thing, they built it starting up front… to try and keep up with those type teams you gotta continue to do that and stock that room”@JPFinlayNBCS #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/kVevMzDGOw
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) May 28, 2025
Note to Adam Peters about picking Josh Conerly:
Asked Kliff Kingsbury about why he left Adam Peters the “Take Oregon tackle” note. Clearly, he liked Josh Conerly Jr.’s talent, but noted how the Eagles won it all behind a deep OL and stacking linemen is always wise.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 28, 2025
Kliff Kingsbury left a note on Adam Peters’s desk before the draft asking him to take Josh Conerly Jr. When asked about it today, Kingsbury cited the Eagles’ and how they built their O-line: “To keep up with those types of teams, you got to do that and stock that room.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 28, 2025
Upgrading the offensive line:
Kingsbury on adding OL in the offseason: “The more depth in that room the better you’re going to do.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 28, 2025
Kingsbury echoed Dan Quinn’s comments about the O-Line structure. Other than Tunsil at LT, everyone else will compete
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 28, 2025
Jayden Daniels growth/areas of focus:
Kliff Kingsbury on Jayden Daniels and getting better around him: pic.twitter.com/PCaOOkSNjl
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 28, 2025
Kingsbury on Daniels’ growth/areas of focus: “Organically it’s going to happen… he’s very highly motivated… that’s always exciting for the organization.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 28, 2025
Daniels bulking up during the offseason:
Kliff Kingsbury on Jayden Daniels’ frame. Said he’s still a thin guy, but would imagine, based on the eye test, he’s put on some weight. The good kind.
“I’m sure he’s a little thicker than he was.”
Said there was no mandate from the team for more bulk.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 28, 2025
Jayden Daniels has looked like he’s put on muscle in team photos. We’ll see him shortly at practice.
Kingsbury: “He’s still pretty lean, but he’s worked pretty hard. … I haven’t seen his weight, but I’m sure he’s a little thicker than he was.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 28, 2025
Daniels’ improved arm strength:
Kliff Kingsbury said Jayden Daniels’s arm strength is better and he’s “stronger, no doubt.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 28, 2025
Deebo Samuel:
“He’s a football player through and through”@19problemz | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/jAqMm31RPk
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 28, 2025
Kingsbury on Deebo: one of the best competitors I’ve seen. He’s a football player through and through
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 28, 2025
Kingsbury on Deebo Samuel: “One of the best competitors I’ve gone against as a coach… he has a natural feel for things.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 28, 2025
Opponents figuring out Jayden Daniels and Washington’s offense in Year 2:
Kliff Kingsbury on the notion that the league now has NFL tape on Jayden Daniels in his offense.
As you might imagine, he wasn’t fretting about opposing adjustments: “They have a lot of years of play calling on me.” Also expressed confidence in Jayden handling what’s presented.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 28, 2025
Brian Robinson Jr:
Kingsbury said Brian Robinson has been “really focused” this offseason. Knows what this year means to him and when he can do
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 28, 2025
Jaylin Lane:
Kingsbury on Jaylin Lane: He can really roll. Fast, dynamic player
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 28, 2025
Spain game vs the Dolphins:
I asked #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury about the #NFL schedule and I guess I’m not the only one excited about #Spain. pic.twitter.com/WYnPnw5LxV
— CWallSports (@cwallse) May 28, 2025
Kilff Kingsbury is very pro the Madrid game.
“I’m a big Europe guy.”
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 28, 2025
Managing egos with offensive playmakers:
The Commanders have a good problem to have on offense.
A lot of mouths to feed this season.
Kliff Kingsbury said, “I’ve never had a great players that doesn’t want the ball…you would rather have really good players cussing you out than bad players cussing you out.” pic.twitter.com/PUbQsjCcdz
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 28, 2025
Kliff Kingsbury, on managing egos with many top talents on offense: “I’ve never had a player who doesn’t want the ball. … I’m going to get cussed out, but you’d rather have really good players cuss you out than bad players cuss you out.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 28, 2025
Goals at this point of the offseason:
#NFL #OTAs are underway!! Today I asked #Commanders Offensive Coordinator about what he’s looking for at the point in the season. Check out his response. pic.twitter.com/Xd9QksnDyY
— CWallSports (@cwallse) May 28, 2025