Josh Johnson to Start for Commanders on Christmas Day vs. Cowboys, as QB Carousel Rolls On
The Washington Commanders’ quarterback depth chart has been tested to its limits this season, and it’s about to get another shake-up. With Marcus Mariota sidelined by a quad injury, veteran journeyman Josh Johnson is set to start under center on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys.
Yes, that Josh Johnson.
At 39 years old, Johnson is stepping into the spotlight for his 10th career start-and his first since 2021, when he filled in for the Baltimore Ravens. He’s no stranger to stepping into chaos, and this week is no different. The Commanders are down to their third quarterback after Mariota, who had been filling in for rookie Jayden Daniels, exited last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles with both a quad injury and a banged-up throwing hand.
Daniels, who gave Commanders fans a glimpse of the future this season, was officially shut down after aggravating a dislocated left elbow in Week 14. With the team erring on the side of caution with their young star, the QB duties now fall to Johnson-a player whose football journey has been anything but conventional.
A fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2008, Johnson has carved out one of the most unique careers in NFL history. He’s suited up for 14 different franchises, and that’s not counting his time in the XFL, UFL, and AAF. If there’s a pro football league out there, chances are Johnson has taken a snap in it.
“It’s a stressful journey, not one I would wish on anybody,” Johnson said this week. “I’m embracing it with gratitude and trying to be a light for this team.”
That mindset will be crucial as Washington heads into a tough matchup against a playoff-bound Dallas squad. Johnson already saw action last week, stepping in during the Commanders’ 29-18 loss to the Eagles after Mariota went down. Now, with the team officially turning to him as the starter, he’ll try to steady the ship in what’s been a turbulent season for Washington’s quarterback room.
The Commanders aren’t taking any chances with depth, either. With Mariota’s Week 18 status still uncertain, the team signed veteran Jeff Driskel off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. Driskel will serve as Johnson’s backup against the Cowboys.
For Johnson, this isn’t just another game. It’s a full-circle moment. Ironically, the only win of his career as a starting quarterback came back in 2018-also with Washington-when he led the team to a gritty 16-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars after injuries to Alex Smith and Colt McCoy forced him into action.
Now, seven years later, he’s back in the burgundy and gold, once again being asked to step up in the face of adversity. It’s a storyline that feels pulled from a football movie script-but for Johnson, it’s just another chapter in a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and a relentless love for the game.
Whether he can pull off another surprise win remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: Josh Johnson’s return to the starting lineup is a reminder of just how unpredictable-and compelling-the NFL can be.