The Washington Commanders have taken a significant step to improve Jayden Daniels’ passing game with the recent promotion of David Raih to passing game coordinator. Offensive coordinator David Blough, who stepped into his role this season, promoted Raih—previously the tight ends coach—to this key position, signaling a fresh approach to the team’s offensive strategy. This move, reported by NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, comes as Washington looks to revamp its passing attack after a disappointing season.
Raih brings five seasons of experience coaching tight ends, where he notably contributed to Zach Ertz’s impressive production, including 153 catches and 14 touchdowns over two seasons. His promotion reflects a strategic attempt by the Commanders to rely on internal talent to rebuild their offense, with Blough setting the tone as he assembles his staff. Team president Dan Quinn appears to be entrusting Blough with full control over offensive operations, with Raih positioned as a key partner in this effort.
Raih’s Unique Journey and Potential Impact on the Passing Game
David Raih’s coaching path is distinctive. After ending his playing career at Iowa, he initially worked outside of football before accepting an unpaid internship at UCLA to pursue coaching. Raih then held various roles at Iowa and Texas Tech in college programs before establishing himself in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. Over five seasons there, he gained experience in multiple positions, including wide receivers coach, shaping his offensive philosophy along the way.
Blough’s background as a backup quarterback is less expansive, but pairing with Raih allows the Commanders to combine different perspectives on offense. Raih’s knowledge could help the team implement more sophisticated passing schemes, like integrating tight ends in deep crossing routes while using underneath routes to confuse defenses. This blend aims to diversify Washington’s aerial attack and increase its effectiveness.
Jayden Daniels Faces Pressure to Improve in His Third Season
Jayden Daniels, now entering his third year as Washington’s starting quarterback, is under pressure to elevate his performance. Teams typically decide whether to exercise a first-round pick’s fifth-year contract option following the third season, so Daniels’ play this year will significantly influence his career trajectory and future earnings. After a promising rookie year marred by injuries and inconsistencies in 2025, Daniels needs this season to demonstrate growth.
With Raih crafting passing strategies alongside Blough—a coordinator with experience in both the West Coast Offense and Air Raid systems—Daniels could see a revamped scheme designed to play to his strengths. Both Raih’s previous work with star receivers like Davante Adams and DeAndre Hopkins, and Blough’s plans for current top receiver Terry McLaurin, suggest that Daniels will have quality targets and carefully designed plays to facilitate his development.
Washington’s offense in 2024 is poised to evolve, as the coaching decisions signal a commitment to improving the passing game, which struggled last season. The moving parts include perfecting game management by Blough and introducing innovative concepts with Raih’s influence. If successful, this could mark a crucial turning point for Daniels and the Commanders after a 5-12 finish.
The Road Ahead for Washington’s Passing Attack
Last season, Washington’s offensive struggles were clear: the team threw for over 250 yards only once, a 276-yard effort in a narrow loss to the Denver Broncos. Despite solid rushing statistics and a completion rate of 61%, the passing game delivered a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 19:12, far below the league average ratio of approximately 2.5:1. This imbalance underscores why enhancing Jayden Daniels’ passing game and overall offensive scheme is critical.
Dan Quinn’s strategy to promote from within aims to maintain continuity while driving change, with Blough’s authority over the offense allowing for synergy between him and Raih. This collaboration could bring about a more balanced and innovative air attack, bolstering the Commanders’ chances to climb the NFL rankings and give Daniels the best possible environment to succeed.
The #Commanders are promoting TEs coach David Raih to pass game coordinator, per me and @TomPelissero.
First-time OC David Blough locks in his top lieutenant for the new offensive scheme. pic.twitter.com/JXLgV8ClzD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2026
David Raih is a coach I've been high on for 2 years. I thought it Kliff got a HC job that Raih would be his OC. Makes a lot of sense Washington promotes him to pass game coordinator. Good intvw here that showcases his passion https://t.co/ogL65FQDJK
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 27, 2026
