Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has a pretty simple way of sizing up Sam Hartman: “majestic.”
That was the word Daniels landed on over the weekend when the NFL Network’s “Training Camp LIVE” set rolled through Ashburn, and the moment came with a little humor attached. After practice, Daniels joined Mike Garafolo and Brian Baldinger, and the conversation drifted to Hartman, with Garafolo joking about Hartman’s looks. Daniels responded by saying Hartman was everyone’s favorite player before the network flashed a photo of the quarterback and gave Daniels the opening for that one-word description.
It fits the way Daniels seems to operate in Washington. He’s the kind of teammate who makes a point to know everybody, and that’s helped him build strong relationships across the roster.
Over the past two years, he was especially close with Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz, though neither is with the Commanders in 2026. Daniels also has a strong bond with Terry McLaurin, but Hartman stands out as the quarterback he’s closest to.
Hartman has been around Daniels since Washington made him a priority as an undrafted free agent after a college career that included stops at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. For the last two years, he’s filled the practice squad quarterback role for the Commanders, and now he’s in the mix for a bigger spot.
With no veteran behind backup Marcus Mariota, Hartman is battling rookie seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis for the No. 3 quarterback job in 2026. Both have flashed at different times, and the loser of that competition could wind up back on the practice squad.
The Commanders open the preseason Friday against the Miami Dolphins, and Hartman should see plenty of snaps.
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