The Washington Commanders have hired Atlanta Falcons’ quarterbacks coach D.J. Williams as their next coach for the QB room, per ESPN. Williams had been with the Atlanta Falcons since 2024 after serving with the New Orleans Saints from 2019 to 2023 as an offensive assistant.
Williams’ father, Doug Williams is a Commanders franchise legend, becoming the first black quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl in 1987. Doug is currently a senior advisor with the organization. He now gets the opportunity to work with his son.
D.J. Williams’ coaching numbers
In Atlanta, Williams oversaw the development of former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. Over Penix’s first two years in the NFL, the lefty quarterback saw massive improvements between his first and second years.
Penix led the NFL in interception rate his sophomore season, throwing to the opposing team on just 1.1% of his passes. Penix also saw his completion percentage rise to over 60% and his passer rating increase by nearly ten points from 78.9 his rookie season to 88.5 the following year.
Williams will now oversee the development of former No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels, who endured an injury-marred 2025-26 campaign after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and reaching the NFC Conference Championship Game during the year prior.
Who is on Dan Quinn’s coaching staff?
Following the conclusion of the NFL’s regular season, the Commanders needed to fill both coordinator jobs.
The team quickly promoted David Blough from assistant quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator just a week after the season ended after Kliff Kingsbury left the team via mutual decision. That said, the team has yet to hire a defensive coordinator to replace Joe Whitt Jr.