When the Washington Commanders selected Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, some fans raised an eyebrow. But let's be honest—in a league where the quarterback position is king, using a late-round flyer on a signal-caller with significant college experience is just smart business.
With Sam Hartman not quite solidifying himself as the long-term backup behind star QB Jayden Daniels, Washington is wisely adding depth. Kaliakmanis will compete for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart during training camp, though the Commanders could still bring in a veteran like Jeff Driskel to provide experience behind both Daniels and Marcus Mariota.
Adding to the intrigue, Washington has a fresh face calling the offensive plays this season. New offensive coordinator David Blough—himself a former NFL quarterback—reportedly had a hand in the Kaliakmanis selection, signaling the team's commitment to building a strong quarterback room from top to bottom.
On Friday, Kaliakmanis stepped onto the field for the first time as a Commander during rookie minicamp. After practice, he shared a moment that speaks volumes about the culture being built in Washington.
"Jayden texted me, actually, after I got drafted, which was pretty cool," Kaliakmanis told reporters with a smile. "And I just got put in a group chat with all of the other QBs, so I can't wait to meet them. Big resumes on every single one of them. Grew up watching some of them, too. Really, really excited to meet them."
He's not wrong about those resumes. The Commanders' quarterback room is stacked with pedigree. Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota are both former Heisman Trophy winners and No. 2 overall draft picks. Sam Hartman started 57 college games across stints at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. And Kaliakmanis himself is no slouch—he started 42 games in the Big Ten, splitting his career between Minnesota and Rutgers.
For a rookie coming into the league, that kind of welcome from an established star like Daniels is invaluable. It shows the kind of leadership that turns a collection of talented players into a true team—and for Commanders fans, that's a sign of something special brewing in the nation's capital.