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A year after reaching the NFC championship game, the Washington Commanders' season is on the brink before their bye.
With a 3-6 record and a new injury to Jayden Daniels, his third of the season, Washington faces a difficult path to a playoff return, even if Daniels can get back on the field at some point after suffering a dislocated elbow.
Daniels' injury occurred less than 48 hours before the trade deadline, which leaves the Commanders with a chance to land another quarterback for the stretch run. Will they take that opportunity or stick with what they have?
Here's a closer look at potential replacements for Daniels in Washington.
MORE: Latest injury updates on Jayden Daniels' elbow
Kirk Cousins
With the trade deadline looming, is there a chance of a reunion between Kirk Cousins and Washington? The Atlanta Falcons' backup quarterback has seen his name surface for just about every opening at the position since the start of the offseason, but Atlanta hasn't budged. A difficult spot start in place of Michael Penix Jr. didn't help Cousins' case to become a full-time starter again, but all it would take is one desperate team to give him the opportunity.
At 3-6, the Commanders likely aren't desperate enough to give up an asset and take on part of Cousins' contract. Even if any potential bad blood between Cousins and the organization has faded since new ownership took over, it doesn't seem as though the Falcons are inclined to move him or Washington would be incentivized to make that kind of move.
MORE: How Jayden Daniels and RG3 have eerily similar injury history
Russell Wilson
The New York Giants are Jaxson Dart's team, even if they aren't a winning team. While the Giants insisted it was not interested in trading Russell Wilson, it wouldn't make much sense not to pick up any asset they can get at 2-7 if a team comes through with an offer.
The bigger question might be whether the Commanders believe Wilson can upgrade their quarterback room. With nearly two years in the system and more mobility, Marcus Mariota would be much more likely to get the starting nod than an aging Wilson.
MORE: Robert Griffin III, NFL fans blast Dan Quinn for not pulling Jayden Daniels
Jacoby Brissett
Jacoby Brissett is starting for the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, but with a Kyler Murray return looming, would a 2-6 record be enough to convince the Cardinals to sell on Tuesday and make their veteran backup available? At that point, it might not make any difference whether Murray has a veteran or inexperienced backup behind him if Arizona is out of contention.
Brissett, who spent the 2023 season with the Commanders before Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters arrived, has looked solid in place of Murray despite not having a win on his record in 2025. The journeyman has given his teams a chance in poor situations before, and he likely wouldn't come at a significant cost if the Cardinals decide they have nothing left to play for.
MORE: Details on dislocated elbow recovery timeline in NFL
Kenny Pickett
The Las Vegas Raiders brought in Kenny Pickett after Aidan O'Connell went down with a preseason injury, but with O'Connell on the verge of a return, the former Steelers first-round pick could be expendable.
If the Commanders made a deal for him, Pickett would likely be more of an insurance option behind Mariota than someone who can actually step right up and start. Pickett hasn't shown much upside since the Steelers drafted him, and three teams have traded him in the last two calendar years. Considering he would likely come cheap, though, Pickett could be a realistic addition to back up Mariota and potentially see some time late in the season if the Commanders are eliminated from contention.
MORE: Why Jayden Daniels' mom pushed back against son's RG3 comparisons
Jameis Winston
Like Wilson, Jameis Winston doesn't serve much of a purpose for the Giants right now as their No. 3 quarterback. New York is hurtling toward a top-10 draft pick, and Dart's place as the team's starter is secure.
If New York can get an asset of any kind for either Wilson or Winston, it wouldn't make sense not to listen. Whether the Commanders would want to take a chance on a quarterback who plays so fearlessly — often to his detriment — is the bigger question in an offense that has done a nice job of avoiding interceptions since Daniels was drafted.
MORE: Tracking all the latest NFL deadline rumors, reports
Marcus Mariota
The most likely replacement for Daniels is the one that has already replaced him twice in 2025. That would be backup Marcus Mariota, who is in his second season with the Commanders and has mostly been competent when forced into action.
Ultimately, the most likely scenario is Washington adding a backup who can serve as insurance behind Mariota while Daniels is out. Mariota already knows Kliff Kingsbury's offense well, can match at least some of Daniels' mobility and helped lead the Commanders to a Week 18 win last season after Daniels came out of the game to rest up for the playoffs.
MORE: How many teams has Marcus Mariota played on in his NFL career?
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