The Washington Commanders are staring down yet another quarterback dilemma - and with the season winding down, this one couldn't come at a worse time. Injuries have been the story all year, and now, with Jayden Daniels sidelined and Marcus Mariota banged up after taking a beating against the Eagles, the Commanders are left scrambling once again.
Mariota’s status is officially day-to-day after receiving stitches in his hand and undergoing evaluation for a possible concussion. That leaves head coach Dan Quinn with two emergency options heading into a Christmas Day showdown against the Dallas Cowboys: veteran journeyman Josh Johnson and undrafted rookie Sam Hartman. Neither is an ideal solution, especially with a divisional rival looming and the game being nationally streamed on Netflix - the kind of spotlight that can magnify any cracks in a roster.
The Commanders' front office, led by GM Adam Peters, is now weighing its options. And one name that’s resurfacing in team circles is Jeff Driskel - a familiar face who might just be the most realistic short-term fix.
Let’s be clear: Driskel isn’t a long-term answer, and no one’s expecting him to come in and light it up. But given the current depth chart, he represents a significant upgrade in terms of experience and scheme familiarity.
He spent time with Washington last season during their playoff push, so he already knows Kliff Kingsbury’s system and has some chemistry with the team's key offensive weapons. That could be enough to keep the offense functioning if Mariota can't go.
There’s also been chatter about Taylor Heinicke making a dramatic return. It’s a feel-good idea - a fan favorite coming back to spark some late-season energy - but that scenario feels more like a fantasy than a front-office plan.
Heinicke might bring the emotional jolt, but Driskel brings practical value: he's been in an NFL building all year, he's healthy, and he knows the playbook. At this point in the season, that kind of continuity matters more than nostalgia.
The reality is, Washington doesn’t have time to wait. With a short week ahead of the Cowboys game, any new quarterback would need to hit the ground running.
That means immediate reps in practice and a crash course in game prep. If Mariota can’t push through his injuries, the Commanders need someone who can step in without derailing the offense - and that’s where Driskel fits.
As for Johnson and Hartman, it’s hard to see either being a viable option in a must-win (or at least must-compete) game. Johnson has bounced around the league for years and isn’t someone you want leading a high-pressure offense on short notice.
Hartman, while intriguing, is raw and untested at the pro level. Throwing him into the fire against Dallas would be a tall order, to say the least.
So here we are: a team still fighting for dignity in a season filled with setbacks, looking to stabilize the most important position on the field. Driskel may not be the hero Washington hoped for, but in this moment, he might be exactly what they need - a steady hand who knows the system and won’t be overwhelmed by the stage.
The Commanders are running out of time and options. If Mariota can’t go, expect a move soon. And if that move is Driskel, don’t expect fireworks - just a quarterback who can keep the offense on schedule and give Washington a fighting chance to close out the season with some pride.