Did the NFLPA’s decision to decline the option to take the emergency quarterback off the practice squad cause the Commanders to keep three quarterbacks on their original roster?
That question was posed to general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn during their press conference on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the team announced its initial 53-man roster, which also included quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel.
Peters began by saying, “Not much.” “We thought Jeff did a really good job all along. He got better and better in the offseason and training camp. When we made those (roster) decisions, we thought Jeff deserved a spot in the 53.”
Peters acknowledged that the two spots were already earmarked for Daniels and Mariota, but that Driskel “went out and took it (the roster spot). I’m proud of him and the way he played; he earned it.”
Quinn immediately chimed in and continued, “It’s a really cool quarterback room here. The coaching, their connection with each other and seeing how these four guys work together and support each other in everything that comes with it. It was so intentional that we were going to be heavily involved in that area from a coaching standpoint. Seeing how that translates to the players and the confidence that builds in them has been everything we hoped for.”
The fourth was freshman Sam Hartman from Notre Dame (and Wake Forest). Hartman was brought back and placed on the practice squad.
Since Daniels is a rookie, coaches might feel that adding another veteran like Driskel in addition to Mariota would give them another player with years of experience preparing for an NFL season.
Additionally, keeping Hartman means the Commanders have another veteran in Driskel who can help them out and provide them with knowledge when needed. Plus, they have Hartman to keep in the hopes that he develops enough to compete for a spot on the roster next year.
