Marcus Mariota may not have turned many heads with his play last season, but the Washington Commanders still have reasons to feel comfortable with him sitting behind Jayden Daniels. FanSided’s annual quarterback rankings backed that up, slotting Mariota at No. 38 and labeling him a high-ceiling backup.
That placement comes after a season in which Mariota’s on-field performance was uneven, especially when he was pressed into action while Daniels dealt with injury issues. He delivered a few flashes, but the overall picture was shaky before Mariota himself got hurt. Even so, FanSided’s expert panel - drawn from 50 voices across the division - still sees enough value to keep him in a favorable tier.
“I was quite surprised to see Marcus Mariota this high. His reputation as a top-level backup is fair, but his on-field regression when filling in for Jayden Daniels last season makes him less dependable now. Hopefully, he doesn't get to see the field all that much, but considering the state of some backup options around the league, the Commanders could do much worse.”
That’s the tension with Mariota now. He’s no longer being asked to be a difference-maker, but he still carries real weight as a steadying presence. He was part of Daniels’ rookie rise, helping provide leadership during the quarterback’s transition to the NFL, and Washington clearly values that kind of stability.
The Commanders doubled down on that this offseason by giving Mariota another one-year deal. At the same time, general manager Adam Peters added another name to the mix by drafting Athan Kaliakmanis in the seventh round.
Kaliakmanis is currently QB3, but his preseason showing has made him an interesting developmental piece. If he keeps growing during the season, Washington could eventually move him into the QB2 role next year and bump Mariota down.
For now, though, Mariota remains the trusted veteran in the room. He understands the clock is ticking on his NFL career, but he’s still in a position to help the Commanders chase the standard they set in Year 1 under Dan Quinn. And if he does have to play, there’s still confidence he can handle it - just not at anything close to Daniels’ level.
In Other News...
Commanders Just Added Receiver Depth That Could Matter Faster Than Expected
The Commanders added another layer to their receiver room by signing Van Jefferson Jr. to the practice squad as they turn the page into Week 1 prep. Jefferson had turned in a solid training camp, but he was the odd man out when Washington finalized its 53-man roster, with Luke McCaffrey getting the nod instead.
Even so, Jefferson never felt far from the picture, and this move gives Washington a familiar contingency if the position group gets hit by injuries or simply needs more production. For a roster still sorting out its early-season depth, it is the kind of addition that could matter sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Just Made Jaden Bradleys Early Path A Lot Tougher
The Commanders added another experienced receiver to the practice squad in Van Jefferson Jr., a move that gives Washington more depth behind its top pass catchers and subtly raises the bar for everyone else in the receiver room. For a young player like undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley, who also landed on the practice squad, it means the margin for earning attention just got a little slimmer even before the season settles into its rhythm.
Bradley still has something working in his favor: Washington views him as more than just camp depth and likes the work ethic that helped him hang around. The challenge now is turning that developmental spot into a real path forward, especially with veteran competition in the building and the practice squad becoming a proving ground rather than a placeholder. [Read more 🡒]
Treylon Burks Just Got The Commanders Opportunity He Needed
Treylon Burks entered the week with a clean slate in Washington, and the Commanders made the message even clearer when they released their Week 1 depth chart for the opener against the Eagles. Burks was listed as a starting wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, a notable sign for a player who arrived on a one-year deal and is looking for a fresh start after a difficult run with the Tennessee Titans.
The opportunity goes beyond a spot on the first depth chart. Under coordinator David Blough, Burks is expected to have a meaningful role in the offense, giving him a chance to show he can still be part of a long-term plan if he makes the most of this opening stretch. For Washington, it is a low-risk way to see whether a former first-round talent can finally find the right fit. [Read more 🡒]