Lions OC Candidate: Exploring the pros and cons of Commanders QB coach David Blough
Update: Jan. 9, 6:45 p.m.: Blough is being promoted to Washington’s offensive coordinator.
After parting ways with John Morton earlier this week, the Detroit Lions are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator, the team’s fourth under coach Dan Campbell.
The Lions are not obligated to share who will interview for the vacancy publicly, but some of those names will inevitably leak through agents. When they do, we’ll explore the viability of the candidates, starting with Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach David Blough.
Bio
Who: Blough
Age: 30
Coaching history: Commanders assistant quarterbacks coach (2024-25), Commanders quarterbacks coach (Dec. 2025)
Background: A three-star recruit out of Carrollton, Texas, Blough was recruited by a number of Big 12 and Big Ten programs before committing to Purdue. After redshirting his freshman season, he would start 49 games across the next four seasons for the Boilermakers.
Undrafted in 2019, Blough initially signed with the Cleveland Browns. Prior to the start of the regular season, he was traded to the Detroit Lions, where he served as a third-string backup the next three seasons.
Blough competed for Detroit's backup job with Tim Boyle ahead of the 2022 season, but the team opted to waive both after training camp. The Lions hoped to bring back Blough to the team’s practice squad, but he opted to sign with Minnesota’s practice squad instead. In December of that season, Blough was signed to Arizona’s active roster, starting the final two games of the regular season for the Cardinals.
Blough returned to Detroit’s practice squad for the 2023 season prior to transitioning into his coaching career. He retired having gone winless in seven starts, while posting a 67.1 passer rating in his nine appearances with a 57.0 completion percentage, six touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Why he’d be a fit
The offensive scheme that former coordinator Ben Johnson built out and implemented in Detroit isn’t broken. In 2025, the team still managed to finish top five in yards (373.2) and points (28.3) for the fourth consecutive season. Lacking was consistency and former coordinator Ben Johnson’s obsessive attention to detail.
With Blough, the Lions would be getting familiarity. Not only was Blough with Johnson in Detroit for four of five seasons, but the two also share the unique bond of having the same college offensive coordinator, John Shoop.