The Washington Commanders will be starting quarterback Marcus Mariota against one of his former teams on Sunday.
The Commanders ruled out second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels with a knee sprain, paving the way for Mariota to start Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Daniels, who the Commanders drafted with the No. 2 overall selection in last year’s draft, has quickly emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the league[1]. But without him at practice all week due to his knee injury, Mariota has a prime opportunity to seek revenge against his old team.
The Commanders are 1-1 after a Week 1 victory against the New York Giants and a loss to the Green Bay Packers. Washington has serious aspirations to compete in the NFC this season, so holding their young quarterback out of this game while factoring in his long-term health makes sense.
In the age of rehabbing former first round quarterbacks, this game will be a tremendous spot for Mariota, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 to the Tennessee Titans. Since flaming out in Tennessee, Mariota has served as a backup and bridge quarterback with the Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and now Washington.
If he plays well against the Raiders, Mariota isn’t exactly threatening Daniels for the starting job in Washington. But former first-round picks like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold rejuvenating their careers with different teams could give Mariotta a path to an even longer career.
Still just 31 years old, Mariota remains one of the premium backup quarterbacks in the NFL. The Commanders signed him to a one-year deal worth $8 million this offseason. That’s excellent backup quarterback money, which is likely why Dan Quinn’s staff felt so comfortable starting him in this spot.
Mariotta appeared in 11 games with the Raiders, who were the first team to give him a chance after his departure from the Titans. After that successful run as a backup, he was able to sign a deal with the rebuilding Atlanta Falcons, who started him 13 games.
Throughout his career, the 10-year veteran has started 74 games.
On the other side, the Raiders are starting a successful reclamation project of their own, Geno Smith.
Smith was left for NFL quarterback ruins after failing with the New York Jets and New York Giants. However, nine years into his career, Smith caught lightning in the bottle when he took over as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.
That successful run landed him a two-year deal worth $75 million[2] with the Raiders, where he was able to reunite with former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll.
Sometimes in life, all you need is a second chance. Raiders vs. Commanders will be proof of that on Sunday.
References
- ^ quickly emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the league (deadspin.com)
- ^ landed him a two-year deal worth $75 million (www.usatoday.com)