Former quarterback David Blough received his first opportunity to start an NFL game for the Detroit Lions. But Blough’s first chance as an offensive coordinator in the league won’t come in Detroit.
The Washington Commanders announced this weekend they have hired Blough as their new offensive coordinator.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported the hiring Friday night. In his post breaking the news on X, Rapoport explained the Lions “showed real interest” in their former quarterback.
The NFL insider also called Blough a “rising assistant coach.”
“The Lions showed real interest in Blough, and Washington acted fast to hire one of the NFL’s youngest and brightest offensive minds,” Rapoport wrote. “Big hire.”
As an NFL quarterback, Blough played seven of his nine games in the league with the Lions. In 2019, he went 0-5 in five starts with Detroit. Blough posted a 54% completion percentage and averaged 5.7 yards per pass with four touchdowns and six interceptions.
With the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, Blough posted an 0-2 record.
Lions Miss Chance to Hire David Blough as OC
It’s important not to overreact too much to the Lions failing to hire Blough. It’s still very early in the offseason coaching cycle
Based on Rapoport’s hype of Blough, though, the Lions could be disappointed they didn’t land Blough.
At the very least, Blough would have given Detroit some continuity on offense. The former signal-caller was in and out of the Lions quarterback room toward the end of his playing career at the beginning of the Dan Campbell era.
The past two seasons, Blough was an assistant quarterbacks coach under Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. That was Blough’s first coaching position.
Blough spent most of the 2023 season on the Lions practice squad.
The former quarterback played for Purdue in college from 2015-18. In 2019, Blough signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns.
At the end of his first preseason, the Browns traded Blough to the Lions.
Blough started toward the end of his rookie campaign after Matthew Stafford and Jeff Driskel each sustained injuries.
Lions Opening at Offensive Coordinator
Although Blough won’t be filling the Lions’ offensive coordinator role, there are still a lot of quality candidates Detroit could pursue. The assistants on playoff teams that the Lions might consider will become available for interviews beginning this upcoming week.
A few hours before Rapoport’s report on Washington hiring Blough, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Lions and Commanders were interested in interviewing former Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin.
If the Lions are indeed interested in Martin, then the Commanders are out of the running.
A former head coach such as Mike McDaniel could be a candidate as well. The Miami Dolphins elected to fire McDaniel on Thursday.
The Lions have an opening at offensive coordinator after parting ways with John Morton following just one season.
Under Morton, the Lions were fourth in points and fifth in yards during 2025. However, the unit took a step backwards after leading the NFL in points scored in 2024. The Lions were also second in offensive yards during the 2024 campaign.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson was Detroit’s offensive coordinator in 2024.
Campbell took over play-calling from Morton in early November.
The Lions should have a few priorities to accomplish this offseason to put the team back on the path to making the playoffs. Hiring the right offensive coordinator is near the top of the list.
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