Tag: QB Donovan McNabb 2010

Forecasting the Commanders 2024 quarterback competition

Jayden Daniels is Washington’s future. Will he start Week 1?

Of course, Jayden Daniels is the projected future starter for the Commanders, but who will start on opening day this September?

Will Daniels be ready enough to be named the opening-day starter over Marcus Mariota?

Cody Benjamin of CBSsports.com asked that question for each NFL team where he feels there will be an actual quarterback competition during this offseason leading up to the launch of the 2024 NFL season.

Quickly, the big picture is that Benjamin sees open competitions for the Commanders, Broncos, Raiders, Vikings, Patriots, Giants, and Steelers.

What does Benjamin see regarding the Commanders’ offseason competition between Daniels and Mariota?

This is the one sham competition of the bunch. But unlike in Chicago, where there is zero question about Caleb Williams’ place atop the Bears’ depth chart, both Daniels and the new Commanders regime are publicly allowing for the notion that backup Marcus Mariota is in contention for the Week 1 gig. We’ll just say this: If Mariota starts, there is something deeply wrong here. Daniels is 23, played five years of college ball and just went No. 2 overall to a roster littered with veteran additions. His electric mobility should give him an instant hold on the job.

If you are interested, here is how Benjamin projects the other starting quarterback competitions for this upcoming season.

For what it is worth, who are the last ten Commanders’ opening-day starting quarterbacks?

  • 2023     Sam Howell
  • 2022     Carson Wentz
  • 2021     Ryan Fitzpatrick
  • 2020     Dwayne Haskins
  • 2019     Case Keenum
  • 2018     Alex Smith
  • 2017     Kirk Cousins
  • 2016     Kirk Cousin
  • 2015     Kirk Cousins
  • 2014     Robert Griffin III
  • 2013     Robert Griffin III
  • 2012     Robert Griffin III
  • 2011     Rex Grossman
  • 2010     Donovan McNabb

Commanders season opener in 5 days: Washington’s best No. 5

5 Tress Way days until the Commanders open the 2023 NFL season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 5 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 5?

Only nine players in Washington franchise history have worn No. 5 during a regular season game. Of the nine, two were quarterbacks, and the other seven punted or kicked.

Both quarterbacks were disappointments for Washington. Heath Shuler (1994-96) was the third overall selection by Washington in the 1994 NFL draft. But Shuler, in his three seasons with Washington, completed only 47.7 percent of his passing attempts, had a touchdown to interception ratio of 13:19, a passer rating of 58.3. His net yards passing per attempt was only 5.41 and his adjusted net yards passing per attempt was a poor 3.97.

Donovan McNabb (2010) had enjoyed much success with Philadelphia. But he was trending downward quickly in his only season in Washington. He was benched in Washington and traded to the Vikings for a 6th-round choice which the Redskins used wisely to draft running back Alfred Morris.

Curt Knight (1969-73) in 1970 made 74 percent of his field goals but struggled the next three seasons, and Washington turned to a young Mark Moseley.

Jeff Hayes (1982-85) was not a great punter (39.0) in his four Washington seasons. He is best remembered for his running ability, as he had a 48-yard fake punt run in 1983 and a 24-yarder in 1984.

Some may recall Obed Ariri kicking in two 1987 replacement games. Brett Conway kicked for Washington in 1998-2000. He was waived during the 2000 season, kicked for the Raiders and Jets, then returned to the Redskins for all of 2001. Was injured and waived only kicking one game in 2002.

Jeff Chandler was signed in December of 2004 and kicked three games for the Redskins. Many will not recall that Billy Cundiff kicked for Washington in 2012, but only connecting on 7 of 12 field goal attempts in five games, he was released.

Tress Way (2014- current) is the greatest player in franchise history to wear No. 5. The former Oklahoma Sooner was undrafted and then waived by the Bears in 2013 and 2014. Washington then claimed Way, and all he did was lead the NFL in yards per punt that very season (47.5). The two-time Pro Bowler also led the NFL in 2019, averaging 49.6 yards per punt. In Way’s nine seasons, he has always had a punt of at least 61+ yards and has averaged 47.0 yards per punt over his entire nine-year career.