The Commanders are already on QB No. 3. Who is he?
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Athan Kaliakmanis played most of Sunday's game for the Commanders after Marucs Mariota got hurt. (Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi via Getty Images)
If you slept in Sunday and forgot the Commanders were playing on British Summer Time, you might have turned on your TV to see … who playing quarterback?
- That would be Athan Kaliakmanis, Washington's seventh-round rookie and third-string QB.
Why it matters: The season is less than a month old. The Commanders are 1-3. And three quarterbacks have already played the bulk of a game.
Driving the news: Kaliakmanis entered in the first quarter of an eventual loss to the Colts after Marcus Mariota injured his knee. Mariota, of course, was starting because Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow in Week 2.
Washington could add another veteran this week, and Daniels could be nearing a return. But given the franchise QB's recent injury history, you might as well get to know Kaliakmanis.
The résumé: Kaliakmanis played at Minnesota before transferring to Rutgers, making 42 college starts and going 20-22.
- His college numbers were unremarkable, and The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranked him the No. 13 quarterback in the 2026 draft class.
- But in a thin QB class, Washington made Kaliakmanis the seventh quarterback selected, taking him in the seventh round.
- A strong preseason helped him beat out handsome-vibes guy Sam Hartman for the No. 3 job. Hartman cleared waivers and landed on the practice squad.
Get to know him: Kaliakmanis became something of a preseason darling for interviews filled with the sort of wholesome enthusiasm that might remind you of another backup-turned-starter: Kirk Cousins.
And, yes: Kaliakmanis is Greek.
- His name is pronounced AY-thin KAL-ee-ACK-man-is.
- He grew up in Illinois and proudly embraces his Greek heritage, including Greek words and iconography in a tattoo sleeve on his left arm.
After he completed a deep pass to Dyami Brown on Sunday, the Commanders' social team called him the "Baklava Bomber."
What we learned: The Baklava Bomber isn't afraid to let it fly.
- Kaliakmanis also connected with Treylon Burks for a 47-yard touchdown.
- But the aggression came with some mistakes: He threw a questionable interception and finished just 15-of-33 passing.
By the numbers: That 45.5% completion rate is the lowest of the 42 NFL quarterbacks who have played so far in 2026.
He can move a bit. Kaliakmanis isn't known as particularly mobile, but he flashed some scrambling ability Sunday.
- He also hit the spin move button with defenders still about 5 yards away.
- Maybe save that one for later.
Yes, but: He can take a hit. Shortly after entering, Kaliakmanis absorbed a massive shot — and popped right back up.
- That's good, because Washington's offensive line gave him plenty of practice dealing with pressure.
Reality check: This isn't the environment that makes anyone eager to put Daniels back on the field.
What's next: The Commanders return home to host the Giants on Sunday. Before then, three quarterback questions loom:
- Is Daniels healthy enough to return?
- How serious is Mariota's knee injury?
- Will Washington sign another veteran?
The bottom line: At 1-3, this could become a long season no matter who's calling signals.
- But if Kaliakmanis gets another shot, at least you now know his name. Even if you can't spell it.