In Washington, all eyes are on him now.
The plucky seventh-round quarterback is doing everything he can to make the Commanders' 53-man roster. His blend of daring throws and courage in the pocket have people comparing him to a young Kirk Cousins. "That dude can sling it," wide receiver Jaylin Lane. "I didn't know too much about him. Watched a few of his highlights. But I mean, that throw to [wide receiver] Antonio [Williams]. That thing was launched." When he came out of the draft, where he was the second-to-last quarterback off the board, many didn't give him a shot. He was listed fourth on most depth charts — behind Daniels, Mariota and former Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman. He threw interceptions in practice. But he's never played it safe. It paid off in his first NFL experience, going 6-for-10 for 87 yards in the preseason opener against the Dolphins. The following week in Detroit, Washington gave him more playing time and he capitalized with 162 yards. He aired one ball out down the sideline to receiver Nick Nash, a risk that cashed in for 55 yards. He hung in the pocket, sidestepping pressure, to hit Williams on the run for 21 yards.