Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has been scrutinized in recent weeks. With Washington’s offense struggling over the past couple of weeks, the “Kliff Cliff” talk made its way back into the news.
What is the “Kliff Cliff?” It’s an unofficial term used to describe how Kingsbury’s offenses struggle in the second half of seasons, from his days as head coach at Texas Tech and during his four seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
While the stats show some decline, it’s far from an accurate comparison and lacks context. It doesn’t consider college scheduling, which is notoriously weak early in the season, bad defenses, and injuries.
It’s essentially a talking point for many who seem to have an axe to grind with Kingsbury. Those who discuss the “Kliff Cliff” refuse to acknowledge that context exists.
One former NFL quarterback doesn’t believe in the “Kliff Cliff” or that the Commanders are on that proverbial decline.
“I’ve been hearing this narrative all week about the Kliff Kingsbury Cliff,” CBS Sports analyst and former NFL MVP Matt Ryan said on Sunday.
“This narrative of Jayden Daniels hitting the rookie wall. I do not see it. When I watch, I think Kliff Kingsbury is doing an excellent job with Jayden Daniels. One of the things I want to see with a young quarterback is use tempo. Forty-five of their 67 snaps last week were no-huddle. The other thing I like, get him involved in the run game early. Two designed quarterback runs in the first seven plays. Then, take a little bit of pressure off of him. Use some gadgets, on the ninth play of the game, they go with a reverse and it’s a gain of 20-plus yards. I think Kliff Kingsbury has done an excellent job.”
Then, Ryan accurately describes the situation better than anyone.
“The No. 1 factor here, though, is that they’ve exceeded expectations,” Ryan said. “They came into the season; I think nobody thought they’d be in the position. But he has helped put them there. I look at the six first-round picks that the Commanders had prior to Jayden Daniels; not one of them is on their roster. The issue with this team is a lack of depth, and it’s a lack of depth because of the people that were in that building before the guys that are there now. I think they are a year or two away, but I think this guy right here, Jayden Daniels, and this coaching staff has gotten it right.”
Are the Commanders going off the ‘Kliff Cliff?’
Matt Ryan: “I do not see it… I think Kliff Kingsbury’s done an excellent job with Jayden Daniels.” pic.twitter.com/tDaO5vqry4
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 1, 2024
This is an excellent analysis from someone who has been in Daniels’ shoes and played for Dan Quinn. Ryan was one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks in the 2010s, and his analysis is much more accurate than someone who has a spreadsheet, an X account, and throws darts at Kingsbury’s picture.
