Few divisions in the league today know how important a backup quarterback is to the long-term success of a roster quite like the NFC East.
No division has won as many Super Bowls either.
Combined, the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders have won 14 Super Bowl titles. Of those championships, three titles were won with a backup quarterback starting for their respective teams. If you count the fact that Roger Staubach did not start Week 1 for the Cowboys during their 1971 title season, that number grows to four.
The Commanders had a backup quarterback win them a Super Bowl once before with Doug Williams in 1988. As the team prepares for a Super Bowl run in 2025, they know that they have a quality backup that can also help win them a title.
Former second overall pick Marcus Mariota may not be a Hall-of-Fame signal-caller, but he had the experience and leadership capabilities that made him a commodity for Washington.
"When you're starting a new team together, it's about competition and hitting all the markers," head coach Dan Quinn said on the Rich Eisen show. "We didn't want to miss a single step in Jayden's (Daniels) development. As the season went on, our team grew stronger—and he was at the front of that growth."
Washington has one of the best young quarterbacks in the league today in Daniels. Having a quality backup behind him is important for the growth of the franchise moving forward.
And it might just be enough to get the Commanders another title.