Commanders Tipped to Replace Jayden Daniels’ Mentor from Within

It’s already been a tough enough season for Jayden Daniels, but now the franchise quarterback of the Washington Commanders must face up to losing a key mentor in the coaching room.

News broke from ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday, November 28 Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard has been named the new man in charge at Stanford. Thamel noted Pritchard has deep ties to the program, having been “a former quarterback, assistant coach and coordinator at the school, including a run on staff from 2010 to 2022.”

Although Pritchard won’t leave before Week 13’s game against the Denver Broncos, his departure will still rate as a blow to Daniels.The latter has dealt with multiple injuries during his second campaign in the NFL, including a dislocated elbow, but Daniels remains the future of the Commanders. Perhaps that’s why the team is being tipped to turn to a familiar face as his new position coach.

This prediction comes from Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, who “would think this means David Blough moves up to be the Commanders’ new QBs coach. Blough retired from playing in 2024 and became Washington’s assistant QBs coach.”

Jhabvala’s thinking is supported by The Washington Post’s Tom Schad. He also “would assume David Blough will step into Pritchard’s spot — at least for the rest of this year, if not permanently.”

Any change in the coaching setup for the final weeks of a disappointing season will only increase the scrutiny on how the Commanders manage Daniels’ playing time and development.

Tavita Pritchard Departure Comes at Key Moment for Jayden Daniels

Pritchard’s role in Daniels’ rapid rise from the second-overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to Offensive Rookie of the Year can’t be overstated. Although he predated the arrival of head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Pritchard became the key sounding board for Daniels.

Early walk-throughs with Kingsbury and Pritchard, detailed by Thamel’s colleague John Keim earlier this year, gave Daniels the foundation to be a quick study at the pro level. Pritchard was also one of the overseers of subtle changes to Daniels’ mechanics in the offseason.

Not all of those changes have bore fruit, but injuries to both Daniels and core members of his supporting cast haven’t helped. Balancing protecting their prized asset against getting him some more much-needed experience on the field, will define the rest of this campaign for the Commanders.

Commanders Need Keen Coaching to Safeguard Star QB

Safeguarding Daniels is the hot button issue facing the Commanders, with the focus on preserving his health. Daniels has made it clear he wants to play, but the Commanders are so far reluctant to rush him back.

Head coach Dan Quinn insists resting Daniels hasn’t been a topic of conversation, but the Commanders can’t avoid the issue for much longer. Quinn will need to make a decision about the value of Daniels being exposed to more hits in a lost season.

If the Commanders opt to take the risk, Blough will get a useful audition as an important voice in Daniels’ development. Blough knows what it takes to play the position, having spent time with the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent signed by the Cleveland Browns back in 2019.

The next stage of Daniels’ development will need to be managed carefully, so a familiar face with Blough’s experience can be invaluable once Pritchard officially takes the reins at Palo Alto.

BREAKING: CAL MCNAIR DONATES $7 MILLION TO TURNING POINT USA FOR “ALL-AMERICAN PLAY-OFFS”!

🏈 BREAKING: Cal McNair DONATES $7 MILLION to Turning Point USA for “All-American Play-Offs”! 🔥

The NFL world is buzzing after

Houston Texans owner Cal McNair officially announced a $7 million donation to Turning Point USA to support its highly anticipated “All-American Halftime Show” — a faith-driven, patriotic alternative to Bad Bunny’s official Super Bowl LX halftime performance
.

The event — originally founded by the late Charlie Kirk and now led by his wife — is being described as “a celebration of faith, freedom, and American values”

designed to offer viewers a family-friendly counter-program to what organizers call “an overly commercialized entertainment industry.”

McNair’s bold decision has set off a wave of reactions across the sports world, with supporters praising his commitment to tradition and critics questioning the blending of faith, culture, and professional football.

💬 “This isn’t about politics — it’s about pride, purpose, and what America stands for,” McNair said. “Faith and football have always belonged together.”

💰 A $7 Million Statement of Conviction

Sources close to the Texans organization confirmed that McNair’s $7 million pledge will go toward production, artist partnerships, and nationwide streaming for Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, scheduled to air

simultaneously with Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, from Levi’s Stadium in California.

According to Turning Point’s leadership, McNair’s contribution is one of the largest single donations in the event’s history

, symbolizing “a powerful partnership between sports, faith, and patriotism.”

💬 “Cal McNair’s commitment reflects the heart of America,” Turning Point’s statement read. “He believes in uniting families and fans around what matters most — God, country, and community.”

🇺🇸 The “All-American Halftime Show” — A Challenge to the NFL Mainstream

Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show has been positioned as a “faith-based and patriotic celebration” featuring Christian country artists, military tributes, gospel choirs, and stories of resilience from veterans and first responders.

The initiative was launched as a direct cultural counterpoint to the official Super Bowl halftime performance, which will feature international superstar Bad Bunny — a choice that has sparked controversy among conservative fans and traditionalists who see his style as “too provocative” for America’s biggest sporting event.

Turning Point’s organizers insist the goal isn’t division but restoration.

💬 “We’re not here to compete with the NFL,” said one event coordinator. “We’re here to bring back a sense of faith, gratitude, and unity — values that built this country.”

⚡ The NFL and Public Reaction

The announcement of McNair’s donation immediately lit up social media. Within hours, hashtags like #CalMcNair, #AllAmericanHalftime, and #FaithOverFame began trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

Supporters applauded McNair for taking a stand:

“Cal McNair just reminded everyone what the Super Bowl used to be about — family, pride, and the flag.”

Others were more critical:

“The last thing we need is another cultural divide in sports. Football should unite people, not preach to them.”

Analysts on ESPN and FOX Sports agreed that the donation is “one of the boldest statements by an NFL owner in years,” especially given the league’s attempts to remain neutral on cultural issues.

🏈 A Legacy of Faith and Family

Cal McNair, whose family has owned the Houston Texans since their founding, is known for his strong Christian faith and philanthropic work across Texas. He and his wife, Hannah McNair, have long been active in causes supporting children’s hospitals, veterans, and faith-based organizations.

This latest contribution, however, marks a significant step into the national cultural conversation — aligning McNair with a growing number of sports figures championing traditional values in the public sphere.

💬 “Cal has always believed football reflects America’s best values — teamwork, resilience, and respect,” said a longtime friend of the owner. “This donation is just an extension of that belief.”

🎤 The Legacy of Charlie Kirk and the Turning Point Mission

Founded by the late Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA became one of America’s most recognizable youth and culture movements focused on faith, leadership, and patriotism. After Kirk’s passing, his wife took the helm, expanding the organization’s reach into music, entertainment, and sports media.

In a statement following McNair’s donation, she expressed heartfelt gratitude:

💬 “Cal McNair represents the integrity and courage we need more of in America. His generosity will help bring faith and unity back to the heart of our culture.”

🌍 A Cultural Crossroads for Football

The Super Bowl LX halftime will now symbolize more than just a clash of football titans — it’s shaping up to be a cultural showdown between two visions of entertainment and identity in America.

One features Bad Bunny’s global, pop-driven performance, while the other offers a faith-based alternative emphasizing patriotism and tradition.

“It’s two different stories of what America stands for — and both will play out at the same time,” said cultural analyst Ryan Walters. “McNair’s $7 million donation just guaranteed this will be the most-watched cultural moment in recent sports history.”

💬 Cal McNair’s Final Words

Despite criticism, McNair remains firm in his conviction. In his statement, he emphasized that the donation was not about exclusion — but about inclusion through shared principles.

💬 “Faith, family, and football — those are the values I was raised with,” he said. “If we can remind people of that, even for one night, then this donation was worth every dollar.”

As anticipation builds for both halftime events, one thing is certain: Cal McNair’s $7 million move has cemented his place as one of the most talked-about owners in the NFL — and a symbol of conviction in an era of controversy.

💬 “America doesn’t need perfection — it needs faith,” McNair concluded. “And I’ll always stand for that.” 🇺🇸