2 weeks Ago By Commanders Wire
Jeff Driskel is seeking a fresh start.Driskel was the No. 3 quarterback for the Washington Commanders during the 2024 season.
Driskel apparently communicated with the Commanders that he would like the opportunity to go elsewhere and compete for a job where he could possibly earn the QB2 job for an NFL team. However, with the free agency signing period beginning six weeks ago, Driskel has yet to sign with one of the other 31 NFL teams.The Commanders understandably re-signed last year's QB2, veteran Marcus Mariota.
Mariota proved a valuable part of the team in the QB meeting rooms, the practice field, and on the playing field when he led the Commanders to an easy win over the Panthers and then a season-finale come-from-behind win over Dallas.Notably, the Commanders pursued Mariota, securing the former Oregon Duck QB for 2025. Driskel had played well in spots of the 2024 preseason and in spots didn't do so well.
Mariota, however, was suddenly injured just prior to the launch of the 2024 regular season. The Commanders responded by keeping Driskel on the 53-man roster, in case he was needed. He only entered one game and took one offensive snap, not attempting a pass in 2024.
Driskel has demonstrated a willingness to move forward and try new things for himself. When he was in college at the University of Florida, he was recruited as a 5-star quarterback, committing to play for Urban Meyer and the Gators. However, Meyer left coaching for a year, which meant Driskel played for Will Muschamp.
Even more, he broke a leg and had three offensive coordinators. Driskel really struggled in games before determining to transfer to Louisiana Tech.Playing well enough, Driskel was then drafted in the sixth round (207) by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2016 NFL draft.
The man is resilient, that is certainly undeniable, as he has played on six NFL teams. He has certainly never had his roots growing too deep in one football location.In November 2015, while playing for Louisiana Tech, the Denver Broncos traded two sixth-round draft picks to the 49ers for TE Vernon Davis.
One of those picks (207) was used by the 49ers in 2016 to select Driskel. However, the 49ers waived Driskel in what was only the beginning of Driskel's NFL existence.Since being drafted by the 49ers, Driskel's NFL life has been one of: released by 49ers, signed by Bengals, waived by Bengals, signed by Lions, not re-signed by Lions, so signed with Broncos, released by the Broncos, signed by the Texans, released by the Texans, re-signed by the Texans, three times reverted back to the Texans' practice squad, res-signed by the Texans, released by the Texans.
again three times reverted back to the Texans' practice squad, signed by the Cardinals, released by the Cardinals, signed by the Cardinals, released by the Cardinals, signed by the Cardinals, claimed by the Browns from the Cardinals' practice squad, signed by the Commanders.Additionally, last week, the Commanders recently longtime veteran quarterback Josh Johnson. Consequently, the Commanders now have four quarterbacks (Jayden Daniels, Mariota, Johnson, Sam Hartman) while Driskel has yet to be signed by another team.
Were the Commanders Driskel's last NFL team?This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: With four quarterbacks under contract, the Commanders moved on Driskel.
