Commanders Make QB Change Official Before Ravens Game

The Washington Commanders are on a hot streak heading into their highly-anticipated matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders sit in first place atop the NFC East with a 4-1 record.

While Daniels appears to the franchise quarterback the Washington has searched for, he's completed 77.1% of his passes for 1,135 yards and four touchdowns, along with 363 rushing yards and two scores, the team also secured a veteran backup, signing Marcus Mariota.

However, after Mariota hit inured reserve (IR) before the season started, the team elevated Sam Hartman to the active roster as the team's third-stringer behind Jeff Driskel. While Mariota came off IR before the Commanders' matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, the veteran's status in the quarterbacks' room remained unclear.

During the Commanders' 34-13 blowout over the Browns, however, the Commanders tapped Mariota to take over for Daniels with 12:45 left in the fourth quarter.

While Mariota didn't do anything too impressive, completing 1-of-3 passes for -2 yards, the Commanders made their quarterback switch official before Week 6.

The Commanders cut Hartman on Oct. 10, clearing the way for Mariota to resume his status as QB2. While the Commanders still have Driskel, there's a strong chance Hartman, a former undrafted free agent of Notre Dame, gets re-signed to the practice squad.

All eyes remain on Daniels before the Commanders travel to Baltimore this weekend. While fans analysts can't help but compare the No. 2 overall pick to his opponent, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Daniels wasn't a fan of the juxtaposition.

"I don't like when people try to compare me to Lamar," Daniels told reporters. "We're two different players. I want to be known as Jayden Daniels and not the next such-and-such."

Related: Jayden Daniels' Dad's Reaction to 'Monday Night Football' Touchdown Says It All