Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Quarterback Marcus Mariota would be an ideal signing for the Washington Commanders in 2023.
We know the Commanders want a veteran quarterback to push, compete with and mentor Sam Howell. And Washington wants that player to be reasonably cheap.
All that criteria seems to point to Mariota, who was cut recently after spending last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Jacoby Brissett and Andy Dalton are often mentioned as Washington targets but may decide they have better options. Does Mariota have a better option at this time?
Mariota played the Commanders in 2022 and nearly ended their winning streak at that time. While his limitations as a passer are clear, Mariota’s legs add to the running game.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently named some best fits for players who were recently released, and Mariota to the Commanders was at the top of the list.
Here’s what Moton said of Mariota to Washington:
Marcus Mariota has a faint chance to remain a starter, but he can bridge the gap between a team’s present and future at quarterback.
In 2022, Mariota started in 13 games for the Atlanta Falcons before Desmond Ridder took over the offense following the team’s Week 14 bye. In December, he underwent knee surgery, finishing with 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions (61.3 percent completion rate) through the air.
Mariota isn’t a high-volume passer, but he can keep an offense afloat when healthy and still has great mobility. He rushed for 438 yards and four touchdowns this past season. With him under center, the Falcons went 4-4 before the wheels fell off in November and early December.
Mariota should hope for a call from the Washington Commanders, who will open the offseason with Sam Howell, a 2022 fifth-rounder, as their starting quarterback. Last season, he went 11-of-19 for 169 yards, a touchdown and an interception in one start (Week 18).
Speaking to NBC Sports Edge’s Matthew Berry at the NFL Scouting Combine, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera mentioned the possibility that a veteran can beat out Howell for the lead job.
Moton’s argument makes some sense, but what the Commanders want and need is someone who is a consistent passer to push/back up Howell. That’s not Mariota.