By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions didn’t just miss out on a coaching candidate this week — they watched a familiar face slip away in what feels like a brutal disappointment at a critical moment of the offseason.
Former Lions quarterback David Blough is officially headed to Washington, accepting his first NFL offensive coordinator role with the Washington Commanders. And according to Ian Rapoport, Detroit was very much in the mix.
A Familiar Name, A Missed Chance
Rapoport reported that the Lions “showed real interest” in Blough — praise that carried extra weight when he labeled the former QB a “rising assistant coach.” Washington, however, didn’t hesitate.
“The Lions showed real interest in Blough, and Washington acted fast to hire one of the NFL’s youngest and brightest offensive minds,” Rapoport wrote. “Big hire.”
For Detroit, that speed difference made all the difference.
Why This One Stings
Blough wasn’t just another name on a long candidate list. He knew the building, the culture, and the quarterback room — having spent much of his playing career with Detroit and overlapping with the early Dan Campbell era.
From a continuity standpoint, the fit made sense. From a developmental standpoint, it made even more sense. Blough has spent the last two seasons learning under Kliff Kingsbury, gaining his first real coaching experience and quickly earning league-wide respect.
That’s what turns this from “oh well” into brutal disappointment.
Perspective Still Matters
To be fair, it’s early in the offseason coaching cycle. Detroit still has time — and options. Several assistants from playoff teams will soon be available for interviews, and other names like Tee Martin have already surfaced as potential candidates.
Still, when a former Lion with deep organizational knowledge gets labeled a “big hire” somewhere else, it’s hard not to wonder what could’ve been.
The Bigger Picture for Detroit
The Lions are searching for a new offensive coordinator after moving on from John Morton, despite strong offensive numbers in 2025. With expectations high and the playoff window wide open, this hire matters — a lot.
Missing out on Blough doesn’t doom Detroit’s offseason. But it does raise the pressure.
Because now, the Lions don’t just need a hire — they need the right one.