With a few weeks to go until the 2026 NFL regular season, quarterback Jayden Daniels is healthy. The Washington Commanders will do everything they can to ensure that remains the case.
But if Daniels misses any time as he did last year, that doesn’t bode well for the Commanders. That’s especially the case with Marcus Mariota currently sidelined because of injury.
If Daniels had to sit out a game this week, the Commanders would have to turn to Sam Hartman or seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.
Not that Daniels isn’t a fan of Hartman. But on Saturday after the team’s Week 2 preseason contest, Daniels shared what he likes about Kaliakmanis.
“He’s funny. He’s got a lot of personality. He’s going to go out there and he makes throws, man,” Daniels told reporters. “That throw to (Commanders WR) Nick Nash, the one to (Commanders WR Jaden Bradley) JB.
“He made plays, so I’m super happy for him.”
Although the team lost, Kaliakmanis played well for the Commanders in Week 2 of the preseason Saturday. He completed 11 of 14 passes for 162 yards. That was good for an average of 11.6 yards per pass.
Athan Kaliakmanis Shines as Jayden Daniels Barely Plays in Week 2 of Preseason
GettyWashington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels addressed what he has seen from rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis this preseason.
As every coach does this time of year, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is trying to find the right balance between playing Daniels to prepare for the regular season and protect him with rest. On Saturday, Quinn essentially split the two objectives, deploying Daniels for a series.
Kaliakmanis and Hartman played the rest of the game. Hartman had a high completion percentage but only threw for 67 yards.
Kaliakmanis delivered the ball downfield with precision. He avoided a giveaway and taking a sack too.
Going forward, Quinn still faces the difficult task of protecting yet getting Daniels ready for Week 1.
“Yeah, you want to thread the needle as close as you can,” Quinn told reporters Saturday. “There are times in practice where he may take as many of the reps as he can. I think we had a tough practice like Wednesday and Thursday and he might’ve took 40, 45 of the plays, just runs, passes, just so he’s getting into the game shape and the rhythm.”
But any protecting Quinn gives Daniels could really help the rookie. Especially with Mariotta sidelined, Kaliakmanis could get more opportunities.
Will Kaliakmanis Make Commanders 53-Man Roster?
GettyWashington Commanders rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis could be on the team’s roster to begin the 2026 regular season.
After losing to the Lions 17-13 on Saturday, Quinn addressed the team’s quarterback play. But the head coach didn’t specify what he liked or disliked from either Kaliakmanis and Hartman.
“The thing that I liked, I did see some explosive plays, that were shots down the field,” Quinn said. “I think one was to (Commanders WR Nick) Nash, another one to (Commanders WR Jaden) Bradley, I liked the catch that went to (Commanders WR Antonio) Williams.”
Daniels and Mariotta are locks to make Washington’s 53-man roster. If Mariotta begins the regular season injured, then the Commanders could keep Hartman and Kaliakmanis.
Otherwise, Washington will have to pick between those two signal-callers as its QB3. The final preseason contest could go a long way in determining who gets that role.
“Another game coming up, it’s so important for them, honestly, in the game, for those guys,” Quinn added. “Managing the clock, working it all, being in tough scenarios, feeling the rush that they don’t do that in practice.
“So, the next practice, the next game will also be super valuable for both of them.”
Kaliakmanis played college football at Minnesota and Rutgers. Last season, he completed 62.2% of his passes for 3,124 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Commanders’ Jayden Daniels Makes Thoughts on Rookie QB Perfectly Clear