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Washington Commanders Coaching Tracker: Kliff Kingsbury is staying with Washington despite interest from the Saints

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Coaching news and rumors

The NFL’s coaching cycle, along with the postseason, is almost over. There is only one head coaching job left, and two teams remain in play for the Lombardi trophy. The Washington Commanders lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, and will watch them play the Kansas City Chiefs in 12 days. The New Orleans Saints are the only team that is still looking for their next head coach. The Commandeers were in the same position last year before they hired Dan Quinn.

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. both received interest from teams, but only Whitt actually interviewed(Jets). This was Whitt’s first head coaching interview, and he will return as Washington’s DC next season. Kingsbury was expected to get significant interest after his return to the NFL was helped by having the best QB in the 2024 draft. Kingsbury held off on interviewing while Washington was still in the playoff hunt, but will reportedly not interview with the Saints.

Kliff Kingsbury has already been an NFL coach with the Arizona Cardinals, and he is still getting paid by them into 2026. He has received head coach interview requests from the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.

There are also executive-level jobs open around the NFL, and Washington Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark had general manager interviews with the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders. Newmark didn’t get either job, and will return as Adam Peters’ assistant GM.

Kliff Kingsbury will stay with Washington:

Kliff Kingsbury still has interest from the Saints:

Lance Newmark not a lock to get Jets GM job:

Aaron Glenn hired as Jets head coach:

Lance Newmark and Aaron Glenn finish interviews with Jets:

Mutual interest between Anthony Lynn and the Dallas Cowboys:

Ben Johnson getting hired by Chicago Bears:

Kliff Kingsbury happy in Washington:

Lance Newmark interviews with the Jets:

Joe Whitt Jr interviews with the Jets:

Raiders interview Lance Newmark:

Kingsbury will wait until after the playoffs to interview:

Kingsbury might decline interview requests:

Per a league source, Kingsbury might ultimately decline one or more of the interview requests. (He might even decline one or more if they lose.)

Kingsbury, who coached the Cardinals for four years, has no financial urgency to become a head coach again. His buyout from the Cardinals runs into 2026, at mid-level head-coaching compensation. This allows him to wait for the right spot to open.

Jets are also interested in Joe Whitt Jr:

Jets interview Lance Newmark:

Saints are also interested in Kingsbury:

Jets interested in Kingsbury:

Kingsbury will be selective:

Fowler: I do. I expect Kingsbury to interview there. As was told to me, most or all the names that have been linked to the Bears are people Chicago would like to interview. Observers believe experience will be a key factor in the hiring process, and Kingsbury has experience coupled with quarterback cachet.

Now, we’ve heard the buzz word “selective” with Johnson’s approach to the cycle. Kingsbury will also be selective, I’m told. He’s still getting paid head coach money from Arizona and gets to coach Daniels on a Washington team that should be even better next season. I don’t think he’s ironing shirts for job interviews just yet. Keep in mind, Kingsbury was down the road with the Jets in 2019 before he took the Arizona job, so New York could double back with him.