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Hogs Haven fantasy football takes on Athan Kaliakmanis
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Hogs Haven about Athan Kaliakmanis.
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Negative
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All Hogs Haven insights about Athan Kaliakmanis
PositiveBreakoutOct 28, 2026
The source noted a promising Week 4 glimpse of rookie Athan Kaliakmanis and expressed hope that he will be the backup quarterback next season, suggesting the team may move on from Mariota in favor of a younger, cheaper option.NegativeRoleOct 11, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis, a seventh-round rookie, became the Commanders' emergency starter after both Jayden Daniels (dislocated elbow) and Marcus Mariota (MCL sprain) went down; he was only recently signed and had been waiting by a phone wondering if anyone wanted him at all before joining Washington.NegativeDepth ChartOct 10, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis is backing up Jayden Daniels as the Commanders' rookie backup quarterback after Daniels' return from injury.NegativeMatchupOct 10, 2026
Seventh-round rookie quarterback played the majority of snaps in Week 4 against the Colts when Chigoziem Okonkwo returned from injury. Kaliakmanis was under siege with poor pass protection, limiting his ability to find Okonkwo on several open looks downfield.NegativeRoleOct 10, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis is the backup quarterback to Jayden Daniels for the Commanders. The source notes Washington could opt to sign Sam Hartman to the active roster off the practice squad to serve as the emergency third quarterback.NegativeRoleOct 10, 2026
Third-string rookie QB was forced into action in Week 4 London game when injuries sidelined both Jayden Daniels and backup Marcus Mariota; his performance in the loss contributed to fan confidence dropping 47 points to 29%.NegativeProjectionOct 9, 2026
In his first NFL appearance, the seventh-round rookie from Rutgers flashed impressive ability to stretch the field but also made mistakes expected of a late-round rookie QB thrust into action. He completed 15/33 attempts (45.5%, ADOT 14.1 yards) for 186 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 sack for 9 yards, and ran 3 times for 16 yards (5.3 Y/A). He finished with a 29.4% passing success rate and 20.7 total QBR, which placed him ahead of Sam Darnold (20.4) and Daniel Jones (19.6) in Week 4.NegativeDepth ChartOct 8, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis was forced into action versus Indianapolis following Marcus Mariota's sprained MCL, serving as the backup QB when Jayden Daniels was unavailable due to his elbow injury.NegativeRoleOct 8, 2026
7th-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will continue to develop as QB2 backing up Daniels this week. Blough noted that AK16 received more playing time than expected as a rookie last week but showed enough competence to avoid forcing the team to bring in another QB, indicating the coaching staff is comfortable with his developmental trajectory.NegativeRoleOct 8, 2026
Kaliakmanis took his first regular-season NFL snaps in Week 4 in London after both Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Marcus Mariota (knee) suffered injuries, thrust into emergency duty for the Commanders' under-center offensive scheme.NegativeRoleOct 8, 2026
Kaliakmanis, the third-string quarterback, took his first regular-season NFL snaps in London after both Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota were sidelined by injuries. This forced the Commanders to operate with a backup plan at quarterback while trying to establish offensive rhythm under new offensive coordinator David Blough.PositiveProjectionOct 7, 2026
Kaliakmanis acquitted himself well Sunday when pushed into action after Marcus Mariota's injury. While down-to-down consistency wasn't there, he wasn't afraid to be aggressive, attempting six passes of 30-plus yards and connecting on a pair of them (one for a touchdown). The source notes these were two of the prettier deep balls from any NFL quarterback in Week 4, earning him a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team second team.PositiveProjectionOct 7, 2026
In his NFL debut against the Colts, backup QB Athan Kaliakmanis tied C.J. Stroud for the highest average depth of target at 14.1 yards and had six passes of at least 30 yards—the most for any quarterback in a single game so far this season. He completed two of those deep shots: a 48-yarder to Dyami Brown and a 47-yarder to Treylon Burks for his first career touchdown pass. Despite facing only 20% pressure from the Colts defense, Kaliakmanis showed willingness to let the ball fly downfield in the second half. He is expected to serve as the backup stabilizing the room in Week 5 while Jayden Daniels recovers.NegativeRoleOct 6, 2026
Third-string QB forced into action in Week 4 after Marcus Mariota knee injury; completed 15/33 passes for 186 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. The source notes Washington is in a bad spot with QB1 and QB2 injured, and Kaliakmanis represents a significant downgrade; his performance didn't surprise observers, and the Commanders' roster is described as average at best with limited offensive weapons.NegativeRoleOct 6, 2026
Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis made his debut in Week 4 after Marcus Mariota's injury in London and became the first rookie to throw his first NFL touchdown in an international game. He had a couple of very impressive throws and big plays but ultimately Washington was outmatched without Mariota. He made his fair share of rookie mistakes and found Treylon Burks for a long touchdown, but the offense struggled overall with him at the helm.PositiveProjectionOct 6, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis completed 15 of 33 pass attempts for 186 yards and his first career touchdown pass while being sacked once and throwing his first career interception. Given Mariota is likely to miss time and Jayden Daniels isn't guaranteed to be back this week, Kaliakmanis could be in line to start his first career game on Sunday against the Giants. The source highlighted his confidence as the biggest positive takeaway; most young quarterbacks in that situation come in timid and check the ball down, but Kaliakmanis was aggressive and happy to take shots down the field, which gave the Commanders life and a chance at staying in the game.NegativeProjectionOct 6, 2026
Rookie seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis relieved Marcus Mariota in the Commanders' loss to Indianapolis, completing 15-of-33 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown with one interception in his first NFL action. The source notes that Kaliakmanis stood tall in an almost nonexistent pocket and took crushing blows from opposing defenders, but the writing felt like it was on the wall once the Colts' defenders began attacking the rookie aggressively.NegativeProjectionOct 6, 2026
QB Athan Kaliakmanis had the highest average depth of target in Week 4 so far at 14.1 yards, tied with C.J. Stroud.NegativeRoleOct 5, 2026
7th-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis finished the Week 4 game against Indianapolis after Marcus Mariota's MCL sprain in the first quarter, serving as the backup QB in a 30-13 loss. With Jayden Daniels expected to return for Week 5, Kaliakmanis remains the third-string option.NegativeRoleOct 5, 2026
Seventh-round backup quarterback received limited practice repetitions in Week 4 while team prioritized getting Jayden Daniels work; performed admirably in game given the limited preparation situation; team did not sign veteran backup following Daniels' injury, leaving Kaliakmanis as primary backup with minimal practice reps.NegativeRoleOct 5, 2026
Kaliakmanis had an up-and-down game as the third-string quarterback, making some good throws and some he'd like back. The source notes 'given the circumstances, I thought the rookie hung in there and did the best he could' and praises his willingness to let it rip.NegativeDepth ChartOct 5, 2026
Third-string QB now positioned to start Week 5 against the Giants after Jayden Daniels' dislocated elbow and Marcus Mariota's MCL injury; the source notes Washington cannot enter the game with Kaliakmanis as starter backed only by Sam Hartman, an undrafted 2024 Notre Dame product on the practice squad, signaling urgent QB depth concerns.NegativeUsageOct 5, 2026
Kaliakmanis completed bombs to Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown in the third quarter, with Sauce Gardner in coverage on both plays. The source describes him as spending the first half being pressured heavily by Colts defenders but showing poise in the second half.NegativeProjectionOct 5, 2026
Kaliakmanis completed 15 of 33 passes for 186 yards, with a touchdown and an interception in his first NFL action. The source notes he has a big arm and plays with poise, but is inexperienced and playing behind a patchwork line—a bad combination. He performed admirably in his debut despite the Commanders' offensive struggles.NegativeRoleOct 5, 2026
Kaliakmanis, a seventh-round Rutgers rookie (No. 223 overall), became the first QB drafted out of Rutgers to attempt a pass in the NFL since 2005 (Mike McMahon) and the first rookie QB from the 2026 draft to take a regular-season snap. He replaced Mariota with Washington leading 6-0 in the first quarter.PositiveProjectionOct 5, 2026
Kaliakmanis is the only QB to attempt 6+ passes thrown 30+ yards downfield in a game this season; he has 2 completions over 40 yards, matching the combined total of Burrow, Dak, Trevor Lawrence, Darnold, Stroud, and Goff.NegativeProjectionOct 4, 2026
Rookie QB started for Commanders in Week 4 loss to Colts; graded C-plus with adjusted expectations for a rookie; completed roughly half his passes and seemed comfortable tossing it deep, almost over the natural flow of the offense; contrasts with David Blough's more conservative approach.NegativeProjectionOct 4, 2026
In his emergency Week 4 start against Indianapolis, Kaliakmanis completed 15-of-33 passes for 186 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. The source notes he showed moments of brilliance and confidence—including a touchdown pass to Treylon Burks described as 'a thing of beauty'—but also demonstrated operational issues and an inability to sustain drives consistent with limited practice reps and experience. Coach Dan Quinn credited Kaliakmanis for showing 'a lot of confidence and some fearlessness' while noting the team didn't do enough around him.NegativeRoleOct 4, 2026
Drafted by Washington in the seventh round with no expectation of meaningful playing time in 2026, Kaliakmanis earned his roster spot with a solid preseason despite competition from Sam Hartman. He was thrust into emergency duty in Week 4 when starter Jayden Daniels remained unavailable with a left elbow dislocation and backup Marcus Mariota suffered an MCL injury in the second series.NegativeRoleOct 4, 2026
Backup QB Athan Kaliakmanis made his NFL debut after Marcus Mariota's injury. Kaliakmanis said he was mentally preparing for the possibility he could play and emphasized the importance of always being ready. He acknowledged the Colts brought a lot of pressure and said he has to be better, but noted there were some cool moments in his debut.NegativeRoleOct 4, 2026
Rookie QB entered game after Mariota injury and played out remainder of 30-13 loss to Colts. Despite limited practice reps during the week, Kaliakmanis completed 15-of-33 passes for 186 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Source notes this performance may influence whether Commanders add another quarterback to the roster.NegativeRoleOct 4, 2026
Seventh-round rookie quarterback forced into action after Mariota's knee injury in Week 4. Kaliakmanis showed some spark and explosive plays (TD to Treylon Burks, connection with Dyami Brown), described as a gunslinger type, but was not great in consistent operation of the offense. The Colts made life hard on the rookie, and he ultimately slowed things down compared to Mariota, costing the Commanders down the stretch in a 30-13 loss.NegativeDepth ChartOct 4, 2026
Rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is active for his second NFL game and will serve as Marcus Mariota's backup with Jayden Daniels out.NegativeDepth ChartSep 27, 2026
Rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is active for his first NFL game and will serve as Marcus Mariota's backup.NegativeRoleSep 25, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis is preparing for the backup quarterback role with the Commanders.PositiveDepth ChartSep 23, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis has earned the No. 3 job and is now the second in command at quarterback for the Commanders. The source explicitly rules out returning to Sam Hartman in a panic and dismisses signing a veteran off the street as panic moves, positioning Kaliakmanis as the best possible backup option at this point.NegativeDepth ChartSep 21, 2026
Seventh-round draft pick Athan Kaliakmanis is the primary backup quarterback behind Marcus Mariota in the Commanders depth chart.NegativeDepth ChartSep 20, 2026
Rookie quarterback inactive for Week 2 but designated as the team's emergency third quarterback.NegativeDepth ChartSep 13, 2026
Rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis will be inactive for his first NFL game, but has been designated as the team's emergency 3rd quarterback.PositiveRoleSep 4, 2026
Seventh-round QB from Rutgers made 53-man roster with strong camp and preseason performance; showed arm talent and willingness to push ball downfield despite imperfect execution. Long-term play auditioning all year to be Jayden Daniels' backup after Marcus Mariota leaves Washington.NegativeRoleSep 3, 2026
Kaliakmanis is the third-string QB in the Commanders room; the source does not want him playing in a game right now but sees hope he develops into someone capable down the line.PositiveRoleAug 31, 2026
Backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis received positive evaluation from Adam Peters, who highlighted his arm talent and moxie. Peters noted that Kaliakmanis 'made a lot of big throws' and 'is not afraid to rip it,' indicating confidence in his decision-making and arm strength.PositiveRoleAug 30, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis showed well in the preseason and has the developmental QB spot previously held by Sam Hartman, securing his roster spot as the third quarterback.NegativeDepth ChartAug 29, 2026
Round 7 (No. 223) quarterback projected as likely third-string option if Washington keeps three quarterbacks; strong arm and ability to play from the pocket support his depth role.PositiveRoleAug 29, 2026
Kaliakmanis has played so well in the preseason that the source believes he's earned a spot on the 53-man roster. The source argues that if Washington wants to save a roster spot and stash him on the practice squad, they could probably manage it without anyone claiming him, but based on his preseason performances, he's earned his spot on the 53 and should be rewarded for that performance level if keeping the best 53 players.PositiveRoleAug 29, 2026
The seventh-round pick earned a spot on the 53-man roster as the No. 3 quarterback despite Friday night's preseason loss to Baltimore. The source credits Kaliakmanis as a daring playmaker unafraid of pushing the ball downfield, deserving a role while developing as a signal caller.PositiveBreakoutAug 28, 2026
7th-round rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis essentially clinched QB3 role with strong preseason Week 2 performance against Lions, attacking deep and making big plays; the source indicates the QB3 battle is largely settled in most observers' eyes.PositiveProjectionAug 28, 2026
Kaliakmanis has completed 17 of 24 passes for 249 yards, averaging 10.38 yards per attempt with zero interceptions—a rate that would rank among the best in the NFL in the regular season. The source emphasizes that his traits (arm talent, intermediate accuracy, downfield aggressiveness, pocket comfort) reflect genuine quarterback ability rather than preseason noise. His comfort in David Blough's play-action and rollout-heavy scheme, which requires downfield ball placement from unconventional platforms, exceeds Sam Hartman's three-year comfort level in the system.PositiveBreakoutAug 28, 2026
Seventh-round rookie QB3 candidate essentially clinched the backup role in most observers' eyes after strong preseason performance against Lions; attacked deep and made big plays, effectively ending the QB3 battle.PositiveProjectionAug 27, 2026
The source says Kaliakmanis has had a meteoric rise from 17th place in offseason rankings to first place heading into the final preseason game. Entering camp, the 7th round pick was realistically battling Sam Hartman for the third-string QB role. Against the Lions, he completed 11/14 (78.6%) for 162 yards at an ADOT of 9.4 yards for a 114.9 passer rating, looking clearly superior to Hartman (81.8% completion on shorter targets, ADOT 5.4 yards). With Hartman in the rearview mirror and Marcus Mariota nursing an MCL sprain, Kaliakmanis could become Jayden Daniels' primary backup on opening day.NegativeBreakoutAug 26, 2026
Backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has performed so well in the first two preseason games that the Commanders may not be able to risk cutting him to stash him on the practice squad. Against the Lions, he completed 11 of 14 passes for 168 yards with zero touchdowns, zero interceptions, and zero sacks taken. His ability to move calmly within the pocket under pressure, recognize defensive schemes, shorten his drop, and get the ball out quickly has been impressive. As the game progressed, he also began hitting explosive plays down the field beyond just chain-moving plays, demonstrating developing quarterback skills.PositiveProjectionAug 25, 2026
Rookie QB demonstrated ability to attack the field vertically with 162 passing yards on 11 completions against Detroit; stretching the field on all three levels on boundary and field sides, showing arm velocity and confidence to attack defenses. The source notes his combination of arm talent and willingness to use it raises his stock, and that offensive coordinator David Blough wouldn't be limited in play calling with him under center. Kaliakmanis has an edge over Sam Hartman and could be in line to be Jayden Daniels' backup when Marcus Mariota's time ends in Washington.PositiveProjectionAug 25, 2026
Kaliakmanis threw for 162 yards on 11-of-14 passing and completely avoided any sacks after taking two against Miami the week before; the young asset is quickly endearing himself to those searching for inning-eating Daniels replacements, rapidly raising the stakes on a less-than-obvious roster battle.PositiveProjectionAug 25, 2026
Backup quarterback building momentum in Commanders QB battle; threw for 162 yards on 11-of-14 passing (78.6% completion) and 'completely avoided any sacks after taking two against Miami the week before.' Source notes he 'can't match Kaliakmanis' raw willingness to mix creativity with arm power' compared to starter Hartman, and 'is quickly endearing himself to those searching for inning-eating Daniels replacements, rapidly raising the stakes on a less-than-obvious roster battle.'NegativeProjectionAug 24, 2026
7th-round QB nominee for Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype Award; strong preseason performance against Detroit with 79% completion (11-for-14), 162 passing yards, 114.9 passer rating, and 92.4 PFF grade. Showed ability to step up in pocket and push ball downfield with good footwork; limited athleticism noted as ongoing concern but arm talent evident. Extended playing time due to Jayden Daniels limited to 3-play series and Marcus Mariota out with MCL sprain.PositiveDepth ChartAug 24, 2026
The source projects Athan Kaliakmanis as the QB3 on the 53-man roster, stating he has 'shown me enough to feel comfortable letting Sam Hartman get an early start on his modeling career,' indicating confidence in Kaliakmanis's development over Hartman.PositiveBreakoutAug 24, 2026
Quarterback generated enthusiastic the source commentary for his preseason performance on Saturday, with Ian Hartitz expressing strong excitement about his play and suggesting he merits serious consideration as a prospect.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Under immense pressure, Kaliakmanis moved well in the pocket and made nice throws, finishing 11-for-14 for 162 yards without a sack. The source states he has 'VERY CLEARLY outplayed Sam Hartman over these first two games of the preseason,' suggesting a strong case for the backup QB role.PositiveProjectionAug 23, 2026
Commanders QB3 prospect has strong preseason performance over two games: 17-for-24 for 249 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions, 70.83% completion percentage, 10.38 yards per pass attempt, two sacks taken. The source indicates the QB3 competition with Sam Hartman should be over, and all signs point to Kaliakmanis making the Commanders roster; Washington has carried three QBs on the initial 53-man roster the past two seasons.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Kaliakmanis is making a strong case to be the third quarterback on the Commanders' initial roster. He looked comfortable running the offense, delivered accurate throws on the move, and maneuvered well in the pocket. He completed 78% of his passes for 162 yards without being sacked in the preseason game. Notably, he demonstrated arm strength to stretch the field—a skill not highlighted in the draft process—with a 55-yard completion to Nick Nash down the sideline and a 30-yard pass to Jaden Bradley. He is competing with Sam Hartman for the final quarterback spot, with the competition expected to continue through the preseason finale.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Seventh-round rookie quarterback looked comfortable running the offense and delivered accurate throws on the move, completing 78% of his passes for 162 yards without being sacked; his performance may have done enough to prompt the Commanders to roster three quarterbacks, especially as Marcus Mariota recovers from an MCL sprain.PositiveRoleAug 22, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis surged in the QB3 competition against Detroit, posting an 11-for-14 passing line for 162 yards with a 114.9 quarterback rating and no turnovers. Over two preseason games, Kaliakmanis is 17-for-24 for 249 yards with a 70.83% completion percentage and 10.38 yards per attempt, demonstrating more explosive passing than competitor Sam Hartman and suggesting the QB3 competition should be over.PositiveProjectionAug 21, 2026
Commanders rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis had a solid outing during Washington's preseason opener against Miami; the source broke down his performance positively.PositiveRoleAug 21, 2026
With Marcus Mariota not practicing for the rest of preseason and the Commanders opting against adding another quarterback, Kaliakmanis has a great opportunity to earn reps and potentially win the third quarterback spot. More reps are on offer for both Kaliakmanis and Hartman, and Kaliakmanis' performance against Miami suggests he has a good chance to earn the job.PositiveProjectionAug 21, 2026
Kaliakmanis had a solid outing in the preseason opener against Miami, completing six of 10 passes for 87 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, though he was sacked twice. His performance was clearly better than Sam Hartman's (8 of 15, 80 yards, one interception). Based on his performance, the source Mark Bullock believes Kaliakmanis has a good chance to win the third quarterback job over Hartman.PositiveProjectionAug 21, 2026
Commanders rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis had a solid outing during Washington's preseason opener against Miami; the source broke down his performance positively.PositiveProjectionAug 21, 2026
Rookie QB had solid preseason outing against Dolphins: 6/10, 87 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 sacks. Outperformed Sam Hartman (8/15, 80 yards, 1 INT) in battle for third QB spot. With Marcus Mariota injured and not practicing rest of preseason, Kaliakmanis has great opportunity to win reps and earn job over Hartman. Based on performance against Miami, has good chance to win the competition.NegativeUsageAug 19, 2026
Backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw an interception to Antonio Hamilton with a fully extended grab near the middle of the field.PositiveRoleAug 19, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis seized the opportunity created by an injury to primary backup Marcus Mariota in the preseason opener with a strong debut performance, leapfrogging Sam Hartman into the next position on the depth chart; if Mariota misses significant time, Kaliakmanis has positioned himself to be Jayden Daniels' game day backup.PositiveRoleAug 18, 2026
Rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis is getting more time with the second team after Marcus Mariota's injury. Quinn was pleased with his preseason debut performance, noting: 'I was pleased to see him in the chaos… I thought you'd see his arm strength come out a little bit. It did on some of the play action passes.'PositiveProjectionAug 18, 2026
Showed better performance than Sam Hartman on Friday, showcasing solid arm talent; based on his preseason game, he should be the leading candidate to take second-team reps with Mariota out and win the QB3 spot.PositiveProjectionAug 17, 2026
7th-round QB who delivered a night-and-day performance compared to Sam Hartman's poor outing; Kaliakmanis slung the ball all over the field with zip and decisiveness, earning gratitude from fans and wide receivers. The source expects to see a lot more of the 'Baklava Bomber' over the next two games, signaling strong preseason momentum and potential for additional snaps.NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis is expected to see increased playing time in preseason with Marcus Mariota out.PositiveRoleAug 16, 2026
Backup QB Athan Kaliakmanis will be getting extended looks over the next two games in the preseason due to Marcus Mariota's MCL injury.NegativeRoleAug 16, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis will receive additional practice and preseason game reps as a reserve quarterback due to Mariota's MCL sprain. Head coach Dan Quinn said the Commanders do not anticipate bringing in another quarterback, instead handing reserves Sam Hartman and Athan Kaliakmanis more opportunities.PositiveRoleAug 15, 2026
Quarterback Kaliakmanis easily outplayed Hartman in the preseason contest. He looked more in control of the offense, had better pocket presence, and threw the ball with better accuracy and significantly more zip. He did get sacked twice but is expected to clean that up and get rid of the ball quicker as he matures.PositiveDepth ChartAug 15, 2026
Kaliakmanis is clearly ahead of Sam Hartman in the Commanders' QB pecking order following Mariota's preseason injury. He connected with receiver Jacoby Jones in the game, demonstrating early chemistry and positioning himself as the primary backup to Mariota.PositiveProjectionAug 15, 2026
Seventh-round rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis made a strong case for the Commanders' QB3 job in his preseason debut. He started fast with 33 yards on his first two throws to rookie Antonio Williams (16 yards) and tight end Colson Yankoff (17 yards), followed by a 20+ yard completion to Jacoby Jones. He finished 6-of-10 with 87 passing yards and no touchdowns. His arm strength was evident throughout, showing conviction, athleticism, and a level of comfort that defied his inexperience. The source notes there was far more good than bad in the Day 3 selection from Rutgers, and it would be a big surprise if he didn't find his name on the 53-man roster. With Mariota exiting with a possible non-contact leg injury, Kaliakmanis could potentially stabilize the backup quarterback spot.PositiveProjectionAug 15, 2026
Backup QB competing for the No. 3 quarterback spot showed slightly more efficiency than Sam Hartman in his preseason action. The Rutgers product completed 6-of-10 passes for 87 yards and flashed serious arm talent while working the ball down the field, including a 16-yard TD pass to rookie Antonio Williams. Both Hartman and Kaliakmanis will see significant preseason time to prove worthy of the No. 3 roster spot, though it remains a pick 'em at this point.NegativeDepth ChartAug 14, 2026
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis is competing for the QB3 roster spot against Sam Hartman in preseason Week 1, with this battle taking center stage as Jayden Daniels rests and Marcus Mariota starts.