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David Blough: “as An Offense, We Did Not Play Winning Football.”

The Washington Commanders are preparing to host the New York Giants and their coordinators spoke with reporters before Thursday’s practice. David Blough was up first, and he was asked about the failed 4th down play vs the Colts. He mentioned execution from the coaches to the players, and he said they didn’t play winning football on offense. Blough was also asked about Nick Allegretti getting replaced by free agent signing Lucas Patrick at center, then by rookie Matt Gulbin at right guard. He said the coaching staff is transparent with all the players, but didn’t actually answer the question about the apparent demotions. Dan Quinn mentioned injuries, and Allegretti did miss most of training camp, and was limited last week with a hip injury, but it’s clear that Allegretti isn’t one of the best 5 on the offensive line right now.

Jayden Daniels is returning this week and Blough said he’s ready to go, and they’re happy to have him back. There are no limitations, and if you need more confirmation that Jayden Daniels is starting this week, Adam Schefter tweeted it out! Blough said that 7th-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will continue to develop as he remains QB2, this week backing up Daniels. AK16 got more playing time than most people outside of his immediate circle of friends and family wanted to see him get as a rookie, but he showed enough to not force the team to bring in another QB.

Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones were both asked about Dan Quinn’s leadership and dealing with losing games and players to injury. They both praised Quinn’s leadership, and ability to stay consistent through wins and losses. Jones implied that previous coaches he’s worked with weren’t as even keel when dealing with adversity.

David Blough

Didn’t play winning football as an offense:

David Blough says as an offense we didn’t play winning football last week pic.twitter.com/Zc0xW5nvm7
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 8, 2026

David Blough at the podium. Started things off by saying, “As an offense, we did not play winning football.” Added that the team wasn’t at its best in winning time moments
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) October 8, 2026

Jayden Daniels:

Asked David Blough if with Jayden Daniels about if any challenges with him coming back off an injury. Any limitations to building the game plan?
"He's full go," Blough said.
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 8, 2026

#Commanders OC David Blough on QB Jayden Daniels to @john_keim "He's full go man. Happy to have him back."
— CWallSports (@cwallse) October 8, 2026

Washington’s QB1 vs. the Giants: pic.twitter.com/kjfp4vUa6N
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2026

Athan Kaliakmanis getting experience as backup QB:

Blough said Kaliakmanis got valuable experience last weekend. They’ll continue to develop him in the primary backup role
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) October 8, 2026

Daronte Jones

Nick Cross returning to the defense:

Daronte Jones said Nick Cross is a valuable piece on defense and they’re glad to have his speed and play style back on the field
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) October 8, 2026

Improving mental toughness and focus in the second half:

Daronte Jones talks about mental toughness and focus as two things they need to be better at in second halves pic.twitter.com/0fMAhlzen7
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 8, 2026

Dan Quinn

Daronte Jones on Dan Quinn and how he's handled rough stretches: "He doesn't let the ebbs and flows of the season and each game affect how he approaches each day. … Some guys, you've been in this business, you don't know what you're going to get day to day. He's not that, and I…
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 8, 2026

Giants TEs:

The Giants feature/target tight ends at the second highest rate in the NFL – Commanders D has been at or near the bottom of the league vs TE’s

Daronte Jones mentioned the copycat league and you are what you put on tape, so you gotta take it off pic.twitter.com/BeH4f1WGYl
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 8, 2026

Practice

The practice window for Trey Amos is now opened. Great to see him back on the practice field pic.twitter.com/xBllfidLFY
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 8, 2026

Stefon Diggs (hamstring) is working on the side field with athletic trainers during the media-viewing portion of practice. Don’t see Terry McLaurin (hamstring) out here.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 8, 2026

On the side field working out with athletic trainers, I saw Stefon Diggs, Tyler Owens, Johnny Newton. I believe the fourth person was Jordan Magee (he had a hoodie on so not 100%) certain. #Commanders
— CWallSports (@cwallse) October 8, 2026

Also didn't see #Commanders DE Charles Omenihu (groin) for the second straight practice.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 8, 2026

Everywhere you look on the defensive side their working on peanut punches pic.twitter.com/4ChN0JtcNq
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 8, 2026

We back pic.twitter.com/Wp8zsBjo3D
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 8, 2026

Sam Cosmi back out here. Not in a non-contact jersey. pic.twitter.com/kLAiEBdhte
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 8, 2026

No black "no contact" jersey for Sam Cosmi today. It would seem he's passing the NFL's return to play concussion protocols – as long as he stay sypmton free through the weekend he should be own track to play
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 8, 2026