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What David Blough, Daronte Jones Said About Commanders Clash With Eagles

The Washington Commanders have come back from their bye week and head into a fourth division game despite the fact that its just Week 8. They are hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football in a game that will have big consequences for the loser.

If the Commanders win, they still have a chance in a weak NFC East. Lose and the calls to fire head coach Dan Quinn in get too hard to ignore. That will also affect first-time coordinators Daronte Jones and David Blough who have both had a lot of questions about their first season in their roles.

During the bye week it was reported that the team had brought in former head coach Steve Wilks to advise on defense, a plan that has been in the works since training camp. Daronte Jones said they felt the team could use his resources and knowledge as they install a new scheme in Washington. Jones didn’t bring any assistants with when forming his coaching staff, and how has an experienced coach to advise as he continues his growth as a coach. One of the big issues with Washington’s defense has been an inconsistent pass rush, and the inability to play two good halves in the same game.

David Blough has had his own concerns as he installs an offense in only his third year in coaching.

The Commanders coordinators addressed all that and more in their Thursday press conferences. Here’s what they talked about, plus comments from the Commanders locker room:

Daronte Jones

Steve Wilks:

Daronte Jones talks about what bringing in Steve Wilks does for him as a defensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/MVV40hH6C7
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 29, 2026

Commanders DC Daronte Jones on bringing in Steve Wilks: "We felt we could use his resources"
— Martenzie Johnson (@10zJohnson) October 29, 2026

Inconsistent pass rush:

Daronte Jones said the Commanders' pass rush has been "inconsistent."

Washington has the 2nd-highest blitz rate in the NFL, behind only the Vikings. But its pressure rate (32.1%) and sack rate (4.8%) rank 24th and 25th, respectively.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 29, 2026

Daronte Jones addressing the media. He called the pass rush “inconsistent.” Some moments where it had been effective and others where it has struggled
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) October 29, 2026

Dorance Armstrong:

Daronte Jones on Dorance Armstrong's return from injury this offseason:

"I think you're going to see him get his feet and legs under him."
— Martenzie Johnson (@10zJohnson) October 29, 2026

Odafe Oweh

The Commanders are getting ready to face the Eagles and backup quarterback Tanner McKee on Sunday night.

On going up against McKee, Odafe Oweh told me, "we're going to bring pressure towards him. See how he reacts and hopefully he folds." pic.twitter.com/8KdsJcnGtu
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 29, 2026

Daron Payne

What will the Commanders look like on the field if they play a complete game on Sunday vs. Eagles?

Daron Payne told me, "I feel like we'll be a hard team to beat." pic.twitter.com/0WOJ0iSgS8
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 29, 2026

Jeremy Reaves

Is this a must win game for the Washington Commanders on Sunday night against the Eagles?

Jeremy Reaves told me, "I think every game is must win territory…every game the intensity and urgency is up. This is what we get paid to do. This is our job." pic.twitter.com/XDqpawI04s
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 29, 2026

David Blough

Jayden Daniels’ super power is how he protects the football:

David Blough on Jayden Daniels with no INTs… ever a point where he could make a riskier throw: "His superpower is how he protects the ball. … never want to take that away from him…. happy where he's at; always room to improve."
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 29, 2026

Working with Daniels:

Blough on working with #Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: "I get an opportunity to be the best caddie in the world for him. How can I set him up for success as best as possible? And then the challenge for him in a new system, new operation is to go out there every time and be the…
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 29, 2026

Being more efficient in the huddle:

Blough on what Daniels can to do be more efficient in the huddle: "If it's simplifying the personnel names, the groupings, so that everybody's very clear. Being able to line up, get out of the huddle, execute faster. We're trying to eliminate the things that have shot ourselves…
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 29, 2026

Antonio Williams’ growth:

David Blough on Antonio Williams’ growth pic.twitter.com/X5A2JFr8Dw
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 29, 2026

#Commanders OC David Blough on the growth of WR Antonio Williams: "You see his process refining. … It's been route running and details and splits. Then the ball finds him. .. He'll certainly get more of target share and snap count just by nature of the business with Terry's…
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 29, 2026

Blough on Antonio Williams coming along:

"You just coach him hard, and he'll continue to respond to that well."
— Martenzie Johnson (@10zJohnson) October 29, 2026

Run game issues:

David Blough on the stagnant run game:

"We've talked a lot about the word trust. Whether it's the center trusting communication, the tackles and tight ends trusting each other together on their combinations. The backs trusting the tracks, the O line, the quarterback …"
— Martenzie Johnson (@10zJohnson) October 29, 2026

Illegal shift penalties:

David Blough on illegal shift penalties:

"I have a full understanding [of the rule] but we haven't been clean enough operationally to nip that from occurring to us."
— Martenzie Johnson (@10zJohnson) October 29, 2026

Austin Ekeler

The Commanders had a terrific second half in their last game at SF.

But, they forgot to show up in the first half of that game.

Playing a complete game is critical on Sunday night vs. Philly.

Austin Ekeler told me, "staying consistent is what it comes down to." pic.twitter.com/SFy07FmxBE
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 29, 2026

Antonio Williams

Big opportunity for Antonio Williams on Sunday night.

When asked where he's seen the most progress from the start of the season, Antonio said, "a lot of this is just being on the same page as your quarterback. We just got to continue to build that trust and chemistry." pic.twitter.com/XYOOVYiaq2
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 29, 2026