Mariota agreed Wednesday with the Commanders on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Mariota's combination of experience, mobility and scheme familiarity makes him a sensible backup for Jayden Daniels, who didn't miss any games during his rookie season but left two contests early (once because of an injury, and once in Week 18). Mariota played well both times, throwing for multiple touchdowns and completing more than 75 percent of his passes without turning the ball over.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Does well with limited chances in 2024
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Mariota completed 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns during the 2024 regular season, then took two rush attempts for one yard in two playoff games.
Mariota never made a start but got the majority of playing time in two regular-season games and led the Commanders to victory both times. He then got two snaps in short-yardage situations during the playoffs, converting one and getting stuffed on the other. The 31-year-old isn't under contract for 2025, but it won't come as any surprise if he re-signs with the Commanders to back up Jayden Daniels again.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Excellent in relief
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Mariota completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers. He added 11 rushes for 34 yards.
Mariota was forced into the game after just one offensive possession after Jayden Daniels (ribs) departed. He led the Commanders' offense effectively, highlighted by a pair of touchdown drives to close the first half and begin the second half. On those two possessions, Mariota combined to complete 10 of 11 passes for 119 yards and a pair of touchdown throws. While he benefitted from a very favorable matchup, Mariota showed a surprising command of the offense in relief. However, he'll face a much tougher test if called upon for a Week 8 matchup against the Bears.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Serving as backup QB
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Mariota (pectoral) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Mariota landed on injured reserve just before the season opener due to a chest injury, which was reclassified as a pectoral issue during Week 5 prep after the Commanders designated him for return Wednesday and were required to list him on the practice report. He remained questionable for Sunday even after the team activated him Saturday, but now that he's deemed active, he'll act as the top backup to starting quarterback and rookie sensation Jayden Daniels.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Listed as questionable for Week 5
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Mariota (chest) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Mariota opened the season on injured reserve due to a chest injury. The 30-year-old quarterback has been a full participant in all three practices this week after he was designated to return to practice Wednesday. While he does carry a questionable tag into Sunday's game, Mariota appears to be trending towards being activated off IR and serving as Jayden Daniels' backup. If Mariota is activated off IR, that will likely lead to Sam Hartman being cut from the active roster while Jeff Driskel serves as the third/emergency quarterback.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Lands on injured reserve
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Mariota (chest) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Mariota suffered a chest injury Wednesday during practice, which will now keep him out at minimum until early October. The Commanders signed rookie Notre Dame product Sam Hartman from the practice squad to operate as the third-string quarterback behind starter Jayden Daniels and new backup Jeff Driskel to open the season.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Won't play Week 1
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Mariota (chest) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Washington's new No. 2 quarterback won't be suiting up for the team's regular-season opener after logging DNPs during practice both Thursday and Friday. With Mariota sidelined, expect Jeff Driskel to back up rookie Jayden Daniels in Week 1.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Won't play Saturday
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Coach Dann Quinn said Thursday that Mariota (groin) is ruled out for Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Mariota seems entrenched as Washington's backup behind rookie first-round quarterback Jayden Daniels, but for the time being he'll need to focus on getting healthy. During Washington's preseason opener last week, Mariota took the field on the team's second drive, after Daniels left the field. With Mariota and Sam Hartman (shoulder) both dealing with injuries, the Commanders inked Trace McSorley on Thursday.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Likely headed for backup role again
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Mariota will be joined by fellow Heisman winner and No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels in Washington's QB room.
The incoming rookie was a four-year college starter (five if you count a COVID-shortened season) and is already 23 years old, making him a strong bet to quickly take over as QB1 in Washington. Mariota presumably knew the Commanders were likely to use the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback when he signed with them in March, but the team at least traded Sam Howell to Seattle, leaving the 30-year-old unchallenged for a backup role. It remains to be seen how the Commanders divide reps between Daniels and Mariota this spring and into summer.
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Eagles' Marcus Mariota: Unremarkable in first half
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Mariota started the Eagles' 18-18 preseason tie with the Browns on Thursday night and completed nine of 17 passes for 86 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed once for five yards.
Mariota needs game reps in his new team's offense, so his extended stint in Thursday's contest makes sense. The veteran signal-caller was sharper in Philadelphia's preseason opener versus the Ravens while completing seven of 11 passes, but Mariota remains a lock for the role of Jalen Hurts' top backup come the regular season.
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Eagles' Marcus Mariota: Still learning offense
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Mariota has gotten off to a slow start during training camp, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.
Mariota has thrown four interceptions in the first week of training camp. However, for the time being, that's being chalked up to him being on his third team in three seasons. According to teammate Boston Scott, "he's still learning the playbook, but he's a really smart guy. It's gonna take time, but you can see the tools for sure." Mariota will have plenty of time to adjust to the new offense and his role as Jalen Hurts' backup throughout the remainder of training camp and preseason.
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Marcus Mariota: Released by Atlanta
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The Falcons released Mariota (knee) on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Mariota's release has been expected, and frees up roughly $12 million in cap space for Atlanta. The 29-year-old ended the 2022 season on IR after having been benched for Desmond Ridder, finishing his only campaign as a Falcon with a 15:9 TD:INT through 13 appearances. Once fully recovered from his knee procedure, Mariota will likely draw interest from teams looking for a veteran backup quarterback.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Likely IR-bound due to knee
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Mariota has a knee injury and likely will be placed on injured reserve, according to coach Arthur Smith, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Mariota was benched for rookie Desmond Ridder during Atlanta's Week 14 bye, and while Smith insists Ridder's promotion was performance-based, Mariota's injury may have played a role in that decision. Atlanta recently signed quarterback Logan Woodside, who presumably will back up Ridder for the duration of Mariota's absence, off the Titans' practice squad. Mariota would miss the remainder of the regular season if placed on IR.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Throws game-sealing INT
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Mariota completed 13 of 24 passes for 167 yards, a touchdown and an interception during Sunday's 19-16 loss to Pittsburgh. He also rushed three times for 17 yards.
Mariota targeted Drake London, who fished with six receptions on 12 targets for 95 yards, early and often, but Atlanta's passing game struggled once again, though Mariota was able to somewhat salvage his outing by connecting with MyCole Pruitt for a seven-yard score in the third quarter. However, the dual-threat quarterback failed to record at least 20 rushing yards, ending an eight-game streak reaching that plateau. He also threw a game-sealing interception to Minkah Fitzpatrick on the Falcons' final offensive possession. Overall, it was an underwhelming day for Mariota, who's emerged as a viable streaming option due to his production on the ground, but he'll look to get back on track when the Falcons return to action following their Week 14 bye.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Costly pick in loss
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Mariota completed 15 of 25 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Commanders. He added six rushes for 49 yards.
From a fantasy perspective, Mariota performed as expected thanks to work with his legs, as he's now topped 40 rushing yards in five of his last eight games. He also tossed a four-yard touchdown pass on a misdirection play midway through the second quarter. However, Mariota's performance left plenty to be desired, as he averaged only 7.0 yards per attempt and also threw an interception at the Commnanders' goal line with just over a minute remaining in the contest. Despite the uninspiring performance, Mariota is likely to remain Atlanta's starting quarterback so long as the team remains in playoff contention.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Two scores in win
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Mariota completed 13 of 20 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 27-24 win over the Bears. He also rushed 13 times for 25 yards and an additional score.
Mariota threw a two-yard touchdown to Drake London on the Falcons' first drive of the game and gave Atlanta a 24-17 lead at the end of the third quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run. The quarterback didn't produce many yards, but he made plays when he needed to, avoided turnovers and found the end zone twice in the high-scoring win. Mariota continues to be a solid steaming option, but his overall production remains limited due to Atlanta's meager passing attack.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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I started the week liking Mariota as a streamer, and he might deliver a quality stat line against the Bears. He's scored at least 21 Fantasy points in three of his past five games, and Chicago has allowed at least 29 Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in two of the past three contests. But my concern with Mariota is the Falcons need a win this week, and their formula for success has been to run, run and run some more. Arthur Smith doesn't want Mariota to make plays unless needed, and Atlanta should have the chance to play with a lead this week as three-point home favorites. For the season, Mariota is averaging 17.1 Fantasy points per game, and I would expect him to be in that range in this matchup. That makes him a low-end starter at best in one-quarterback leagues but not someone who is a must-start option across the board.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Week 11 Waiver Priority List
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It appears that Mariota will remain the Falcons starter for Week 11 against the Bears. Said coach Arthur Smith on Monday to the Atlanta media, "If we were going to make a change, I'd tell you." It's not a bad idea to stash Desmond Ridder (5 percent rostered) where available in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, but Mariota can be a streamer in one-quarterback leagues for Week 11. He scored at least 21 Fantasy points in three of his past five games. And the Bears have allowed two of their past three opposing quarterbacks to score at least 29 Fantasy points. Mariota is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Sleeper QBs
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Let's hope Mariota is forced to throw this week. In two games with at least 25 pass attempts since Week 5, Mariota is averaging 23.5 Fantasy points per game. He's also doing a nice job with his legs in the past four games with at least 31 rushing yards in four games in a row, including one touchdown. Mariota should give you a safe floor since he has scored at least 19 Fantasy points in three of his past four games, including two games with 28 points over that span. It's not an easy matchup this week against the Chargers, who allow an average of just 18.1 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, but Mariota should provide a safe floor to trust him as a low-end starter in all leagues.
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Falcons' Marcus Mariota: Throws three touchdowns in win
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Mariota completed 20 of 28 passes for 253 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions during Sunday's 37-34 win over the Panthers. He also rushed six times for 43 yards.
Mariota's second pass of the game was intercepted, but he bounced back and submitted an efficient performance through the air en route to a season-high 253 passing yards. The quarterback's dual-threat ability was also on display again as he rushed for at least 30 rushing yards for a fourth straight game, totaling 185 rushing yards during that stretch. Mariota's first touchdown was a well-designed play that left Kyle Pitts wide open for a two-yard score, but his second and third scores were nice throws that turned into big plays with great efforts from Tyler Allgeier and Damiere Byrd. Sunday's performance marked the veteran's best performance of the season, and he'll look to build off his success against the Chargers in Week 9.
