Former Washington Commanders and current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins had a lot to say about a recent Washington Commanders coaching hire. While still currently employed by Atlanta, the Falcons are expected to release Cousins next month after reducing his annual $35 million salary to $2.1 million. When speaking with Kevin Sheehan of The Team 980, Cousins discussed Washington’s coaching moves, specifically the hire of D.J. Williams.
Kirk Cousins offers insight on the Commanders' new QB coach D.J. Williams, with whom he worked in Atlanta, on The Kevin Sheehan Show. pic.twitter.com/X5hPyum0i4
— The Team 980 (@team980) February 18, 2026
Cousins’ Connection With Williams
During his time in Atlanta, Cousins had the opportunity to work with D.J. Williams over the past two years. He had nothing but positive things to say about Williams, who is hiring raised eyebrows in Washington because he is the son of Doug Williams. His father happens to be a special advisor to the General Manager Adam Peters, and a Super Bowl-winning quarterback in 1988 for Washington. While some originally claimed that nepotism was involved in the hire, head coach Dan Quinn quickly shot down the idea and shared that he did not even have a discussion with Doug about the hire.
Cousins History in Washington
Kirk Cousins has a lot of history with the Washington Commanders. Cousins was drafted by Washington in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the same year Robert Griffin III was drafted by Washington as number two overall. Cousins eventually took over the starting spot and had more success in Washington than any quarterback throwing in recent memory. While he did leave on excellent terms, Commanders fans remember Cousins fondly as he brought the team marginal success in a period where the team could barely put together a winning season.
Will Williams Have an Impact in Washington?
Although some thought that Williams’ hire was due to his father’s position with the Commanders, the younger Williams has a pretty strong resume that should prove doubters wrong. He started in 2017 with the New Orleans Saints, where he worked in the football operations group and was eventually promoted to offensive assistant in 2019. He would hold that position until 2023, when he was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as an offensive analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach. In 2025, he was then promoted to the quarterbacks coach position before being hired by the Commanders.
While it remains to be seen whether or not Williams will have success in Washington, he seems to have a lot of people giving him their endorsement. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn gave Williams is excited to have Williams on board and gave his stamp of approval. Cousins is clearly no different, as he gave some definitive remarks about how he thinks Williams will do as the Commanders’ new quarterbacks coach.
“He understands the quarterback room. He connects well, he communicates clearly, and I think he’s going to have a big impact.”
