Tag: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick 2021

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 14 days: Washington’s best No. 14

14 Brad Johnson days until the Commanders open the 2023 NFL season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 14 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 14?

When younger Washington fans think of jersey No. 14, Ryan Fitzpatrick (2021) comes to mind. However, Fitzpatrick unfortunately was injured and out for the season before he could finish one half of his first game.

Sam Howell is No. 14, but of course, Howell has only played in one regular season game thus far. So, for now, we recall two players who made major contributions for the franchise wearing No. 14.

Eddie LeBaron (1952-59) was a quarterback listed at 5-foot-9, but many disputed LeBaron was that height. LeBaron started 57 of his 82 Washington games. Washington was only 23-32-2 in the games LeBaron started. He passed for 8,068 yards and 59 touchdowns. Of all teams, when the Dallas Cowboys became an expansion NFL team, LeBaron started 28 games for the Cowboys from 1960-63.

Brad Johnson (1999-2000) came to Washington after five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Charley Casserly traded for the former Florida State quarterback, knowing he was just what the Washington offense needed. Johnson shined brightly in 1999, leading the team to the NFC East title and a 10-6 record, their first division title since the 1991 Super Bowl Championship team. Johnson completed 60 percent of his passes while throwing for 4,005 yards and 24 touchdown passes. But it was Daniel Snyder’s first season as owner, and he quickly felt the need to assert himself and play general manager, so he went out and signed quarterback Jeff George. The 2000 team saw Johnson start 11 games, and Washington was 7-4 in those games. Yet Mr. Snyder wanted Jeff George to play more, and Brad Johnson couldn’t wait to get out of town. He departed as a free agent, signed with Tampa Bay, and in 2002 led the Bucs to a Super Bowl Championship. Thank you, Mr. Snyder.