Athan Kaliakmanis competes for backup role with Washington Commanders

Athan Kaliakmanis is vying for a spot as a backup quarterback on the Washington Commanders. After being drafted in the seventh round, he made his NFL debut on August 14, 2026, against the Miami Dolphins. With Marcus Mariota sidelined due to a sprained MCL, Kaliakmanis has an opportunity to showcase his skills throughout the remainder of the preseason. He completed 6 of 10 passes for 87 yards in his debut. Head coach Dan Quinn praised Kaliakmanis for his command and composure during critical game moments, highlighting his potential to contribute as a quarterback.

• 3:00 PMYahoo Sports — Former Rutgers QB Battling For Role At The NFL Level