The Washington Commanders have needed veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota more this season than they ever envisaged. Jayden Daniels' frustrating injury problems are a microcosm of how things have unfolded for head coach Dan Quinn's squad this season, and the No. 2 pick in 2024 has now been shut down for the final three games of 2025.
Mariota gets three more contests to showcase what he can do. The Commanders would probably like to keep him around when his contract expires. Still, the signal-caller might take this opportunity to gauge the market in pursuit of another starting opportunity elsewhere when the 2026 offseason arrives.
And one possible destination for Mariota has just become crystal clear.
Commanders should brace for Marcus Mariota's departure this offseason
With the Miami Dolphins now officially out of playoff contention, head coach Mike McDaniel benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers will get the start. More embarrassingly for the Alabama product, he'll serve as the emergency third option as Zach Wilson moves into the backup role.
This is an incredible fall from grace for Tagovailoa. Despite earning a new contract with the Dolphins, he's regressed considerably. Poor production, lack of accountability to the media, and accusations of questionable leadership have led to his demise. Now, there is a real chance he'll be searching for alternative employment despite the $67.4 million in dead money Miami would take on with a post-June 1 release.
If this scenario comes to fruition, the Dolphins will be looking for a steady hand to bridge the gap between the old and the new. Mariota's athleticism and accuracy make him a strong candidate to execute McDaniel's creative scheme effectively. He'd also be relatively cheap by quarterback standards, so Miami would be wise to keep a close eye on his situation in Washington heading into next spring.
Nobody associated with the Commanders would begrudge Mariota a chance to start again. He's been a massive asset over the last two seasons. The former Oregon star served as a strong mentor to Daniels, and he performed well when his number was called. He's not perfect by any stretch, but he'd instantly be the best quarterback on the Dolphins unless Ewers seizes the moment.
It'll be interesting to see what the future holds for Mariota. The Commanders would like to retain his services, but at 32, time is running out for him to get one more shot at being a starter.
That's not going to happen in Washington. So this situation is dependent on the interest Mariota receives and whether any opportunity is good enough to leave the Commanders behind.
And if Miami came calling, that would be a tricky proposition to turn down.