Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough is a first-year NFL offensive coordinator.
Blough was asked several times Friday about the final play in last Sunday's horrible conclusion, as time expired and Washington tied the New York Giants 27-27, failing to get the field goal attempt to win.
Watching his press conference, I couldn’t help but notice how many times Blough was asked about it. Blough repeatedly said he was the last line of communication to the quarterback, so he was responsible for what happened. That was good and necessary because, frankly, head coach Dan Quinn, Blough, and quarterback Jayden Daniels were all responsible, to some degree, for what happened in those last 40 seconds.
“I’m the one with the last line of communication to the QB; it falls on me…I’m the leader of the unit so you can put that on me,” was what Blough communicated in one fashion or another, more than a few times. Another question was answered with, “We have high expectations as a group, as it pertains to communication and excellence, and I’m the leader of the unit.”
Yet another question came, and this was the response, “You know, I look back; I have thought of about a thousand different ways you could handle it. And you know, it starts with me to put our offense in a position to be successful.”
All in all, I learned two things from this press conference. First, David Blough sincerely believes he played a major role in what happened at the end of Sunday’s game. He knows the blame was put on Dan Quinn; the national media calling for his firing this week isn’t justice. Blough knows that and said he could have communicated better to Daniels during the last drive. Yes, Blough has shown he is a first-time coordinator and was willing to own his part in the Commanders not getting that win over the Giants last Sunday.
Second, though he is young and inexperienced on the field, Blough showed resolve Friday that may be misunderstood. Though he took responsibility several times for his role, he also repeatedly refused to give the local media specifics. Though he was nervous, because it was a big day for him and he knew he'd be bombarded like never before, Blough showed he understands you should put on video only what you feel is minimally necessary.
Over the last five days, we've heard DQ and Jayden Daniels take responsibility for what happened at the end of OT vs. NYG.
— Melissa Y. Kim (@melissaykim) October 16, 2026
Today, Commanders OC David Blough says it's on him.#RaiseHail#HTTCpic.twitter.com/hnDJQZ5ntc
The media may get frustrated with Blough, but they have to understand one thing. Blough is not a Ron Rivera who, more than a few times, got upset, spilled his guts, and revealed things he shouldn’t have. Blough showed poise, though nervous, which kept him focused and speaking only in generalities when the media wanted much more.
In conclusion, we have seen Quinn, Daniels, and now Blough own up to their part in last week’s catastrophe. But beyond that, we weren’t given the specifics the media and fans wanted. But then again, as long as those three discussed and owned it among themselves and then with coaches and teammates, does it matter what they reveal to us? We would like to think so, but does that make it so?
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders OC David Blough is the latest to accept blame for disaster vs Giants