On Tuesday, Washington added a veteran signal-caller who could mentor a top draft pick. Marcus Mariota, 30, agreed to a one-year deal with a base value of $6 million and worth up to $10 million, one person with knowledge of the terms said.
Washington explored the veteran quarterback market and had interest in Sam Darnold before he agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking said. After discussions with others, Washington landed on Mariota.
The addition calls into question the future of Sam Howell, who could interest a quarterback-needy team without a high draft pick, such as the Denver Broncos, who pick 12th.
Mariota, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, has been a journeyman since leaving the Tennessee Titans. He spent two years with the Las Vegas Raiders behind Derek Carr, one year with the Atlanta Falcons (mostly ahead of Desmond Ridder) and last year behind Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles. In Washington, Mariota reunites with former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, who is now the Commanders’ assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator.
In 2022, Mariota had a messy exit from Atlanta. After a rough stretch late in the season, Atlanta benched him for Ridder, then a rookie, and Mariota, upset, left the team to have knee surgery.
In April, when he signed with the Eagles, Mariota acknowledged a mind-set shift.
“I’m at a point in my career where I’ve experienced everything,” Mariota said then. “I’ve been the guy, I’ve been the scout team guy, I’ve been released. So through all those different situations and scenarios, I’ve gathered a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge. I’m at a point in my career where I just want to enjoy the game. I want to have fun doing it. The scheme is very exciting for me, and the fact of the matter is, I feel like I can help Jalen. If we can make Jalen a better player, this team is going to be better.”
Certainly, the Commanders would like to hear Mariota express the same sentiment this year.
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