The Washington Commanders are dealing with more quarterback complications. Not exactly ideal, but it's just another hurdle for head coach Dan Quinn during a campaign ravaged by almost constant injury concerns.
Jayden Daniels has been shut down for the season after one setback too many. Marcus Mariota admirably filled the void, but he left in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles with a hand injury that required stitches. He was also evaluated for a concussion that forced him to leave the contest.
Quinn stated that Mariota is day-to-day and that playing on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys is not guaranteed by any stretch. Given how woeful Josh Johnson performed, fans were expecting someone else to come in.
Commanders told fans all they need to know about Sam Hartman's progress
That arrived when Jeff Driskel was signed from the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad. He was with the team last season, is an experienced pro, and he knows how to deploy Kliff Kingsbury's scheme effectively. If everything goes well upon his arrival, he may start if Mariota cannot prove his fitness.
This seemed almost inevitable, despite the buzz around a blockbuster return for Taylor Heinicke. However, this move all but buried Sam Hartman's chances of ever having a long-term future in Washington.
Hartman was an undrafted free agent in 2024 who stuck around on the practice squad without doing enough to make the 53-man roster. He's developed a close relationship with Daniels, but it's clear the former Notre Dame standout isn't progressing enough.
If that were the case, there would be no better time to start Hartman. The Commanders have two games left and are playing for nothing other than pride. If the second-year pro had displayed any promise, Driskel wouldn't have been signed. They could call him up from the practice squad instead.
Unfortunately, that's not the case. The Commanders have gone with someone who's been on another team all season rather than elevate him. That is a damning indictment of how those in power view his outlook, and it only increases the likelihood that Hartman will be cast aside entirely when the 2026 offseason arrives.
His strong bond with Daniels is the only thing that could potentially keep him around. Making roster decisions based on friendships is not the best way to build a winning team. And after a season that fell by the wayside early on, the time for half-measures and sentiment is over.
What the future holds for Hartman is up for debate. However, this could be the final nail in his proverbial Commanders' coffin.