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Report: Marcus Mariota signing with Washington Commanders on one-year, $8 million deal

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•about 12 hours•

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Marcus Mariota (2)
Jan 5, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (18) runs for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Marcus Mariota is returning to the Washington Commanders for the 2025 season. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the veteran quarterback is re-signing with the Commanders on a one-year, $8 million contract.

Pelissero explained why Mariota decided to return to Washington. “Other teams tried to lure Mariota away,” Pelissero wrote on X/Twitter. “But he loves Washington, where he’s back to back up Jayden Daniels.”

As a backup QB for the Commanders last year, Mariota completed 77.3 percent of his passes for 364 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions in three games. He also rushed for 92 and one touchdown and 18 carries in his limited action last year.

“We have a brotherhood here, and it’s very unique, something that is very different from other teams that I’ve been on, and just that kind of belief in each other really settled me down,” Mariota said after Washington’s win over the Carolina Panthers in October, per Commanders.com. In that game, Mariota completed 18 of his 23 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

Looking at Marcus Mariota’s NFL career

Marcus Mariota signed a one-year contract with the Commanders in March of last year. His goal was to be the starting QB, but the Commanders went with Jayden Daniels, who went on to lead the team to the NFC Championship game and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

“I love ball. I love being around it,” Mariota said in June. “So, regardless of what my situation entails, I put a smile on my face, and I love coming to work, and that’s not going to be any different if I’m here or somewhere else. I don’t change that mentality for anything.”

Mariota was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans at No. 2 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He played for the Titans for five seasons and threw for 13,207 yards, 76 touchdowns and 44 interceptions while posting a 29-32 record.

In March 2020, Mariota signed a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders and played in just 11 games during that span. He then signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2022 and made 13 starts during the 2022 season. Mariota was benched in December of that year and was then placed on injured reserve.

The Falcons released Mariota in February 2023, and he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles the following month. Mariota played in three games for the Eagles during the 2023 season and threw for 164 yards, one touchdown and one interception.