Several weeks after the Washington Commanders opened the 2025 NFL season with a big divisional win over the New York Giants, their quarterback depth chart has already been tested.
Jayden Daniels, the team’s franchise cornerstone and reigning 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year, suffered a knee injury in Week 2 during a short-week Thursday Night Football matchup. While Washington benefited from a 10-day layoff heading into Week 3, Daniels has been ruled out of the matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
That makes the quarterback room in Washington even more important, with a proven veteran, a journeyman presence, and a developmental player behind Daniels. Here’s how the Commanders’ QB depth chart looks heading into Week 3 of the 2025 season.
Breaking Down the Commanders’ QB Depth Chart
Daniels is firmly entrenched as QB1, but the injury scare highlights the value of the players behind him. Marcus Mariota is the clear-cut backup, Josh Johnson provides veteran insurance, and Sam Hartman is stashed away on the practice squad.
Jayden Daniels
Daniels wasted no time proving himself as Washington’s guy. The former LSU star was taken second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and went on to complete 69.0% of his passes for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns against only nine interceptions in his rookie year.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels has not been spotted at practice today, signaling that it is unlikely he will be recovered from his knee sprain in time to start Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders.
Marcus Mariota is in line to start vs his former team. pic.twitter.com/JWYaBfHF27
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2025
More importantly, Daniels guided Washington all the way to the NFC Championship Game, instantly reviving a franchise in search of quarterback stability. His dual-threat ability makes him dangerous, but it also increases the likelihood of injuries, as shown by the knee setback in Week 2.
The Commanders are counting on Daniels’ health to stay in playoff contention, but his fearless style of play makes a strong QB2 critical.
Marcus Mariota
Mariota, like Daniels, was once a Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall draft pick. Now in his second season with Washington, Mariota has embraced the backup role while serving as a mentor to the young starter.
The 31-year-old brings 74 career starts with the Titans, Raiders, Falcons, and Eagles before joining the Commanders in 2024. Mariota played in three games last year, though he didn’t record a start. His experience and mobility make him one of the league’s more trustworthy backups, a player who can keep Washington competitive if Daniels misses time.
Josh Johnson
At 39, Johnson is the definition of an NFL journeyman. Originally drafted in the fifth round in 2008, he has made an NFL appearance for seven different franchises and is now in his second stint with Washington after playing there in 2018.
Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson is entering his 18th season in the NFL.
Wow.
I asked him where he gets that drive and hunger.
Josh told me, “I love football…I thank God every morning that he still allows me to play this game.” pic.twitter.com/4hzRJvXX7J
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) August 14, 2025
Johnson isn’t expected to push for playing time unless disaster strikes, but his presence provides valuable depth. Coaches and teammates alike praise his professionalism and ability to pick up systems quickly, a skill that has allowed him to carve out such a long career.
Sam Hartman (Practice Squad)
The developmental arm in Washington’s quarterback room is Sam Hartman. After a prolific college career split between Wake Forest and Notre Dame, Hartman went undrafted in 2024 but quickly landed with the Commanders as a free agent.
Currently on the practice squad, Hartman offers long-term upside rather than immediate readiness. Still, his prolific college resume makes him a name to watch if injuries pile up.
The Commanders know Jayden Daniels is the future, but his Week 2 injury scare highlights the importance of depth. With Marcus Mariota as a steady backup, Josh Johnson as a seasoned veteran, and Sam Hartman as a developmental prospect, Washington has multiple layers of insurance behind their franchise QB.
