Commanders could promote Sam Hartman
Adam Peters may look internally for Marcus Mariota’s replacement.
The Washington Commanders snapped up Sam Hartman in undrafted free agency and kept him around on the practice squad. The former Wake Forest and Notre Dame star doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he still has excellent arm talent.
He is accurate and Hartman has a very good touch on his throws. After a year in the system, he should be very familiar with Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
Hartman cannot run like Jayden Daniels, but he does move well and throws well on the run. If he needed to step into a game, the signal-caller could run the same offense. He simply would not be as dangerous on zone reads, nor would he be able to escape pressure like the starter.
Then again, few quarterbacks can do what Daniels manages to accomplish, even among starters.
At the very least, Peters and the coaching staff should have a complete read on what Hartman can and cannot do by this point. If he is developing as they hope, he could step into the backup role.
Commanders could sign Cooper Rush
If Washington wants to add more of a veteran presence as Daniels’ backup, they could look to the Dallas Cowboys.
Dan Quinn should be well acquainted with Cooper Rush. He was in Dallas from 2021 to 2023 when Rush started six games for the Cowboys and played in a total of 20. He then coached against Rush — and lost — the first time the Commanders played Dallas in 2024.
Rush had opportunities to test the free agent waters after the 2022 season when he guided Dallas to a 4-1 record in relief of Dak Prescott. He chose to remain with the Cowboys in a backup role. The bloom may be off that rose at this point.
The signal-caller started eight games after Prescott was hurt last season, but was benched in favor of Trey Lance for the final contest against the Commanders. With Rush as the starter, Dallas went 4-4. No one can be certain how new head coach Brian Schottenheimer views his backup quarterback situation.
Rush is a classic reliable second-teamer. He is neither a great runner nor does he have exceptional arm talent, but he is smart and well-prepared. He has stepped into games in difficult situations many times and performed well.
Is he still content in Dallas? Do the Cowboys still want him? If the answer to either question is no, he could slot into Washington’s quarterback room nicely.