Did the NFLPA’s decision to decline the option to have the emergency quarterback come off the practice squad lead the Commanders to keep three quarterbacks on their initial roster?
That was a question posed Wednesday to general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn during their press conference. On Tuesday, the team announced its initial 53-man roster, which included quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Jeff Driskel.
Peters began by expressing, “not a lot.” “We thought Jeff did a really good job throughout. He got better and better throughout the offseason and training camp. We thought when we were making those (roster) decisions that Jeff earned a spot on the 53.”
Peters acknowledged the two spots were already determined to be Daniels and Mariota, but that Driskel “went and took it (roster spot). I am proud of him and the way he played; he earned it.”
Quinn quickly jumped in, elaborating further, “It’s a really cool quarterback room here. The coaching, their connection together and to see these four guys working together and in support of all that goes into it. It was by design that we were going to be heavy into that space from a coaching point of view. To see that transfer into the players and the belief in them, it’s been all we hoped it would be.”
The fourth was rookie Sam Hartman out of Notre Dame (and Wake Forest). Hartman was brought back and signed to the practice squad.
With Daniels being a rookie, the coaches could think that keeping another veteran around like Driskel in addition to Mariota gives Daniels another player with years of experience preparing in work weeks throughout an NFL season.
In addition, keeping Hartman means the Commanders have an extra veteran in Driskel for knowledge and playing if necessary. They also have Hartman, whom they can keep in hopes that he will develop toward competing for a roster spot next year.