Commanders offensive, defensive schemes take shape as free agency cools

The dust has settled on the first wave of NFL free agency, and — bit by bit — the vision for the 2026 Commanders is taking shape. 

First-time coordinators David Blough and Daronte Jones provided few clues about what to expect from their offense and defense, respectively. But the new players who joined the squad in free agency have enthusiastically praised the scheme during their first media meetings.

On offense, the air-raid, spread style of former playcaller Kliff Kingsbury is on the way out. Blough worked under Kingsbury as an assistant quarterbacks coach for the last two seasons, but he hasn’t emphasized Washington’s 2025 offense in discussions with new players.

“He’s already shown me a lot of clips from other days, places he’s been, like Detroit,” new tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo said after signing his three-year contract last week. “Just watching all their clips and seeing the offense they’re trying to bring over here. … Watching guys with so much space.”

Blough played under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — now the head coach of the Chicago Bears — during a stint with the Detroit Lions. In a high-scoring Lions attack, Johnson favored a varied run scheme and a mixture of play-action concepts and route combinations that allow playmakers like Okonkwo to catch the ball in space.

The system emphasizes receivers running precise routes. When the quarterback fakes a run, he can rely on the pass-catcher being at the exact spot he expects.

“I see myself fitting in exactly the role [Blough] showed me. To use my skillset to my advantage, use my speed, my quickness to actually run real routes on the field,” Okonkwo said. “To be able to help the quarterback: be in the right position, right place, right time and have good hands for him.”

Blough, 30, is less than three years removed from his own playing career. That youth and experience are a feature, not a flaw, according to the newly signed Rachaad White.

“With Coach Blough and the background he comes from — with Detroit and all the coaches he’s been around and he’s met — he’s going to have his own little spin on things,” Washington’s new running back said. “You’re just excited.”

On defense, Jones boasts experience with former Minnesota Vikings’ play-callers Brian Flores and Mike Zimmer. That Flores connection — which relies on disguises, versatile formations and exotic blitzes — has excited fans and players alike.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in an under front,” new Commanders edge rusher Charles Omenihu said, referring to a defensive line set-up that emphasizes attacking blockers one-on-one in the run game while maintaining flexibility in pass rushing situations.

“Understanding the advantageous positions I’d be in, it all made sense,” he said. “It’s my eighth year in the league, so I can understand somebody having a plan, and when you do have a plan, that breeds success. … I can’t wait to be in a system where they believe in the four-man, five-man rush game: twists, stunts.”

The scheme, as Omenihu describes it, tries to confuse offenses that have to guess which defender near the line of scrimmage is arriving on a blitz and which players are dropping into coverage. It allows athletic and versatile defenders like free-agent adds Nick Cross and Leo Chanel the opportunities to make splash plays.

“I can really be anywhere. Whether it’s off the line, off the ball, defending a pass downfield, it’s just building off of things,” said Chenal, a freakishly athletic linebacker who won a pair of Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs. “It’s not only defending the run, but being able to drop back to cover a tight end. Whatever coach asks me to do, I’m ready to do it.”

Cross offers a similar do-it-all mentality from the safety position.

“I have a different level of versatility. There’s nothing on the football field I can’t do,” he said Monday. “I’ve shown I can cover. I can come down in the box and play the run very well. I can get the ball and bring it back to our sideline with the turnovers I produce. I’ve played every position on the field.”

More information about Jones and Blough’s schemes hasn’t provided much clarity on the Commanders’ draft plans. This year’s blue-chip group of prospects features versatile players — like Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles and edge rusher Arvell Reese — who could slot into Washington’s defense nicely.

But the top of the draft also includes game-breaking running back Jeremiyah Love and promising receiving options like USC’s Makai Lemon and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.

With the first wave of free agency over, the NFL world’s eyes will turn to next month’s draft. The Commanders hold the No. 7 pick in the first round on April 23.