Marcus Mariota is getting an extended run under center with Jayden Daniels on the sidelines. And the veteran quarterback is making a strong case that is unlikely to go unnoticed around the league next spring.
The Washington Commanders came from behind at the end of regulation to force overtime against the Denver Broncos, and then again in the extra session to give themselves a shot at a game-winning two-point conversion. It was for naught, but Mariota put together an admirable effort to keep his team in the fight.
Mariota has been a warrior all season in his relief of Daniels on three separate occasions. It's getting to the point where one has to wonder if he'll be a starter again in 2026.
Commanders should be bracing for Marcus Mariota's departure in 2026
The former No. 2 pick out of Oregon signed another deal with the Commanders to continue his role as a mentor to Daniels, while providing Washington with one of the best quarterback insurance situations in the league. But Mariota has mentioned he'd have a hard time turning down another opportunity to start, and it could come calling this offseason.
He's thrown some less-than-ideal interceptions this year, including one on Sunday Night Football. Aside from that, Mariota has been rock-solid. His performance against the Broncos might have been his best yet, passing for 294 yards and a pair of touchdowns against arguably the league's best defense.
There are always at least a few teams in the NFL in desperate need of a short-term answer at quarterback. Ideally, they draft a raw prospect and sign a veteran to bridge the gap until the rookie is ready, just as the Commanders were preparing for in 2024.
The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals all come to mind as franchises that could be looking for a new signal-caller in 2026. The former three are awful teams with no direction at quarterback, while the latter two are prime candidates for nuclear house-cleanings that lead to square one of a rebuild.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings could also be in the market for someone like Mariota, but with rosters in win-now mode, odds are they'll aim higher. Still, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner should have plenty of suitors.
Mariota has given a lot to the Commanders throughout his two seasons in Washington. No one has expected him to light the world on fire; only to help keep the offense moving when called upon. The team has struggled to get into the win column, but the Hawaii native has done his job. Now, he might be in line for a bigger one.