Hawaii’s Mariota prepared for new chapter with Commanders
Mariota has signed with his fifth different NFL team in six seasons. Marcus Mariota, a former Saint Louis alumnus, has signed a free agent deal with the Washington Commanders after signing with the team in March. The Commanders hold the second pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and are expected to select a quarterback. Despite his willingness to mentor, Mariota intends to compete for the starting job and is confident in his ability to perform well in his new role. He also expressed his desire to be a starter and coach, stating that he would never let his ego interfere with what is most important for the team. With the Commanders, Marioti will wear jersey No. 0, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to do so.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Christian Shimabuku in Sports
After signing a free agent deal with the Washington Commanders earlier in March, Saint Louis alumnus Marcus Mariota is ready to take on any role with his new team — whether it be starter or mentor.
Mariota, who will be playing for his fifth team in six years in 2024, has started 74 regular season games at quarterback in his pro career.
The Commanders hold the second pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and it is widely believed they will select a quarterback. LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Michigan’s JJ McCarthy and North Carolina’s Drake Maye all appear to be options. Mariota says he’s open to serving as a mentor to whoever Washington picks.
“I think for me personally, I bring a lot of value in a lot of different aspects,” Mariota said in his introductory press conference. “If I’m called upon to be ready to play, I’m very confident in that. I’m also very confident in my role as a mentor. I think I’ve learned a lot with the different roles that I’ve been in. It’s just being able to create a positive dynamic with every individual that you have and being able to relate to guys.
“Through my experiences and all the ups and downs of my career, I feel like I can kind of talk with anybody and I can try to provide value to the guy at the top of the roster, the guy at the bottom of the roster. I think that’s really important for all of us that are in this position.”
Despite his willingness to help others in the quarterback room, Mariota fully intends to compete for the starting job.
“You always want to be a starter. You always want to be a guy that’s leading a franchise out there. That’s why you play. That’s why you do it,” Mariota said. “But I’ll never let my own ego get in the way of what’s most important for the team, and I really believe that’s my role. If I’m called upon to play, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.
“If I’m asked to be a mentor or if I’m asked to help coach a young guy or whoever is with us in that quarterback room again, I’ll do it to the best of my ability. At the end of the day, I want to win games and I want to be a part of a franchise that puts together a good product.”
With the Commanders, Mariota will wear jersey No. 0, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to do so.