The Commanders’ quarterback picture has a familiar name at the top, but the real intrigue right now sits a rung or two lower.
Jayden Daniels remains the obvious starter in Washington. Two years into his NFL career, the former Heisman winner has already become the face of the franchise, and he’s done it the hard way: Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and multiple seasons of star-level play have left no real debate about who runs the offense when the Commanders line up this fall.
Behind him, though, the depth chart has gotten more interesting. Marcus Mariota has been Daniels’ backup throughout his time in Washington, and last season he made the most of Daniels’ injuries and absences by starting eight of his 11 appearances and throwing 10 touchdown passes. But Mariota’s MCL sprain has opened the door, and Sam Hartman’s attempt to stick around as Daniels’ locker-room partner has continued to fade.
That’s where Athan Kaliakmanis comes in.
The rookie has turned a quiet preseason into a real push for a spot higher on the quarterback ladder. He now has a chance to finish as the Commanders’ QB3 by the time they open next month, and if Mariota isn’t ready, there’s even a path for Kaliakmanis to be the emergency QB2.
Not many fans knew much about him before Washington’s preseason meeting with the Miami Dolphins last week, but the Commanders’ staff had reason to pay attention. Kaliakmanis split his four college seasons between Minnesota and Rutgers, where he put together enough touchdown production and efficient passing to catch the eye of more serious scouts. Washington selected him on Day 3 of the draft, making him the seventh pick of the final round.
His senior season showed why teams were interested, even if it also explained why he lasted that long. He finished with a 20:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and brought a solid frame and quick release to the table. The accuracy and decision-making were uneven, but he’s willing to challenge defenses downfield, and that kind of confidence can matter for a rookie trying to stick.
He didn’t light up the stat sheet in his preseason debut. Kaliakmanis split work with Hartman after Mariota exited early in the 20-7 win, but he handled the easier throws cleanly and connected with Jacoby Jones on a deep play-action completion that stood out among the game’s better moments.
Since then, his standing inside the building appears to have risen. He has taken second-team reps in practice after that Dolphins game and now looks like the top non-Daniels quarterback in the room. If Mariota is still sidelined for Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kaliakmanis seems positioned to be ready if called upon.
For a seventh-round pick, that’s a strong place to be. He was never going to unseat Daniels, but he may have found a much clearer route to real NFL snaps than the one he faced on draft weekend.
Athan Kaliakmanis says Jayden Daniels texted him after Washington picked the Rutgers QB to congratulate him pic.twitter.com/ylA0FMNC8o
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]