Sometimes, change is good.
That's what the Washington Commanders thought this offseason, moving on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and promoting former assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough into the role.
The Commanders have made it no secret how much they've valued Blough.
The Detroit Lions agreed and wanted to hire him this offseason, but Washington had big plans for the former NFL quarterback.
While much of the focus on the new offense centers on quarterback Jayden Daniels and being under center more, others could also benefit.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin is a star no matter what, but Blough plans on moving McLaurin around the formation, seeking favorable matchups.
The other player who comes to mind is third-year tight end Ben Sinnott.
Yes, Sinnott, the 2024 second-round pick who many Washington fans have written off after only two years, stands to benefit, perhaps as much as anyone except Daniels.
Former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen, now an analyst covering the Commanders, agrees.
"I think he's a guy, again, like some of the things defensively that get you excited, this is one of those things where it just seems like a natural, hand-in-glove type of fit with regards to what his usage could be," Paulsen said recently on his "Take Command" podcast with Grant Paulsen.
Some thought Washington had given up on Sinnott when it signed free agent Chig Okonkwo to a three-year deal in March.
Okonkwo will have a significant role in the Commanders' offense, which shouldn't impact Sinnott, who can do different things.
"When you look at him at Kansas State, for example, you're gonna see him running a corner, you're gonna see him running a post, you're gonna see him running a high cross, you're gonna see him running a seam.
What do all those routes have in common? They're vertical stems, with slight variations at the top.
What we're not gonna see from him is a lot of, like, short area, choice route, bursty, kind of snag route type stuff.
That is a bigger feature of this offense, in terms of how it's gonna work the middle of the field." Paulsen then partially compared Sinnott's situation to that of Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.
McBride struggled as a rookie under Kingsbury and behind Zach Ertz.
However, McBride's career took off once Kingsbury left.
Like Sinnott, he just wasn't an ideal fit for what Kingsbury did, while Ertz was perfect in the role.
Paulsen knows what he's talking about.
He played tight end for 10 years in the NFL and is now one of the best analysts covering the league, specifically the Commanders.
In two NFL seasons, Sinnott has 16 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
He has only 18 career targets.
Washington will use employ multiple tight end sets under Blough.
Remember, the Commanders also have John Bates, who is one of the NFL's top blocking tight ends.
Make no mistake, 2026 is a big year for Sinnott.
But don't count him out yet.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Former Washington TE believes Ben Sinnott could have significant role.
yahoo