Josh Johnson Steps In for Commanders on Christmas Day Against Cowboys
So here’s the situation heading into Christmas Day in the NFL, and it’s a pretty fascinating one if you’re watching the Washington Commanders. The team has officially turned to veteran Josh Johnson to start at quarterback against their longtime rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. This decision wasn’t made lightly, but it was forced by circumstance more than anything else.
Washington’s quarterback room has been hit hard. Rookie Jayden Daniels has already been shut down for the rest of the season due to injury, and Marcus Mariota, who took over after that, won’t be able to suit up either. Mariota has been dealing with injuries to his right hand and quad, and after missing practice all week, it was clear he wouldn’t be ready. As a result, Johnson was handed the keys, with Jeff Driskel backing him up and Sam Hartman listed as the emergency quarterback.
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At 39 years old, Johnson is now one of the oldest quarterbacks to start a game this season. Only Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, and the long-retired Philip Rivers have been older starters in recent memory. It’s another remarkable chapter in a career defined by persistence. Johnson has been on the active rosters of 13 different NFL teams and has seen game action with seven of them. Few players in the league can match that kind of journey.
Johnson actually has history with Washington, and that’s where this story gets even more interesting. Back in 2018, during a season derailed by injuries, he was thrust into the lineup after Alex Smith, Colt McCoy, and Mark Sanchez all went down or struggled. Despite the chaos, Johnson helped spark the offense and led Washington to a gritty 16-13 win over Jacksonville. That ended up being the team’s only victory after Smith’s devastating injury that year.
This past weekend, Johnson replaced Mariota late in a loss to the Eagles and completed five of nine passes for 43 yards, though an interception was also thrown. It wasn’t flashy, but it was enough to show he could still manage the offense if needed. Over his career, Johnson holds a 1–8 record as a starter, with 2,340 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they tell the story of a quarterback who’s often been asked to step in during difficult situations.
Now, on one of the biggest regular-season stages of the year, Johnson will once again be asked to steady the ship. For Washington, this Christmas Day matchup isn’t just about wins and losses anymore. It’s about pride, resilience, and seeing how a seasoned veteran handles one more unexpected opportunity under the spotlight.
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