The Washington Commanders may not be a playoff contender during the 2024 NFL season, but they should be a fun team to watch after spending the offseason revamping the organization both on and off the field.
New head coach Dan Quinn is tasked with leading the Commanders’ rebuild, and he has an excellent piece in rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to build around.
Daniels skyrocketed up draft boards after winning the Heisman Trophy last season with LSU and now will be the new face of the Washington franchise.
He arguably has the most upside of any quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class because of his strong arm and ability to run the football, giving new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury plenty to work with.
Daniels and the Commanders will kick off the 2024 NFL season against a tough opponent in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that is good at shutting down the running game.
Though Daniels was named the starter, it appears the depth behind him will be tested as QB2 Marcus Mariota has been placed on injured reserve.
“The Commanders are placing backup QB Marcus Mariota on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games. Jeff Driskel will back up Jayden Daniels and Sam Hartman is being signed off the practice squad as No. 3,” NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero wrote on X.
The #Commanders are placing backup QB Marcus Mariota on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games.
Jeff Driskel will back up Jayden Daniels and Sam Hartman is being signed off the practice squad as No. 3. pic.twitter.com/EoFazhO62T
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 7, 2024
This is a bit of a blow for the Commanders as Mariota is a quality veteran backup who now will miss at least the first month of the season due to a pectoral injury.
