The Washington Commanders addressed no shortage of team needs this offseason as Adam Peters turned over a significant chunk of his roster that went a dismal 5-12 in 2025. But one of the team's most overlooked additions comes at a position everybody is hoping is secure.
That position would be quarterback, and the player is seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. He's not going to take Jayden Daniels' job. He's almost certainly not even going to beat out Marcus Mariota as Washington's top backup. But as training camp and soon preseason approach, he'll be worth a close look.
Last season, the Commanders trotted out a "competition" between Josh Johnson and Sam Hartman as their QB3 in case of emergency. Said emergency happened, with both Daniels and Mariota suffering season-ending injuries, and the NFL's ultimate journeyman ended up starting in Weeks 17 and 18.
With Kaliakmanis in the fold, the goal is to not let that happen again.
QB insurance pick Athan Kaliakmanis might be worth more than Commanders fans realize
Kaliakmanis was a four-year college starter, playing at both Minnesota and Rutgers. He battled through injuries last season but still threw for upwards of 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 62.2 percent of his pass attempts.
Kaliakmanis gives Washington an option behind Daniels and Mariota, and he has a chance to develop into a quality backup in David Blough's system. The former Tennessee Titans' No. 2 overall pick is not considered a long-term part of the Commanders' plans, and many were surprised when he re-signed this summer instead of seeking an opportunity as a stop-gap starter following a strong stretch of performances in relief of the franchise passer.
Mariota could once again very well leave Washington after 2026, in which case Kaliakmanis' role becomes of the utmost importance. In the meantime, all he has to do to earn a roster spot is beat out Hartman, who may as well only travel with the team to be Daniels' hype man.
Kaliakmanis severely limited his rushing attempts during his senior year of college, which makes him a strange fit in a quarterback room with Daniels and Mariota. But in Blough's offense, he'll have a chance to be utilized in unique ways that can help him both now and later.
When the Commanders drafted Kaliakmanis, nobody batted an eye. When preseason rolls around, there might not be another player on the roster who generates more attention.
And Washington must hope it's for the better.
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