Commanders 'love' rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis

The Washington Commanders had been rumored to only field two quarterbacks on their roster to free up another position of need. However, rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis proved them wrong by impressing in all three preseason games. The seventh-round pick from Rutgers showcased poise and confidence, fearlessly attacking downfield without turnovers.

This approach earned him a spot as the team's No. 3 quarterback, behind Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Commanders general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn expressed their admiration for Kaliakmanis during a recent media briefing, praising his arm talent, competitiveness, and ability to extend plays and make big-time throws under pressure.

The team is optimistic about his potential, despite acknowledging that he has room for improvement in several areas. Mariota may be nearing the end of his career with Washington, while Daniels is set to become more expensive in the future. Therefore, having a rookie quarterback on a contract could be advantageous for the team, especially considering the new offensive coordinator David Blough's plans to run a different style of offense.