Commanders re-sign QB Marcus Mariota to back up Jayden Daniels next season, AP source says

By Canadian Press on March 12, 2025.

The Washington Commanders are re-upping veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota to back up Jayden Daniels in the Offensive Rookie of the Year’s second NFL season

The Commanders agreed to re-sign Mariota on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be official until it’s signed after the start of the new league year.

Mariota, 31, is the latest experienced player to stay in Washington after tight ends Zach Ertz and John Bates and linebacker Bobby Wagner. The Commanders also worked out a couple of big trades to acquire wide receiver Deebo Samuel from San Francisco and left tackle Laremy Tunsil from Houston.

“Obviously adding a guy like Deebo is going to make all of our jobs a lot easier,” Ertz said. “Arguably the best left tackle in the league is going to make our job a lot easier.”

Bates, who signed a three-year deal, called them great moves and is thrilled to be getting Ertz and “the whole gang back together.”

Mariota was more than just a small part of that last season. He led the Commanders to a rout of Carolina in October in relief when Daniels left with injured ribs and clinched the sixth seed in the NFC by winning at Dallas in the finale when coach Dan Quinn pulled Daniels, citing leg soreness.

The No. 2 overall pick in 2015, nine years before Daniels was taken in that same spot in the draft, Mariota signed in Washington ready to serve as a mentor to a young QB or play as needed.

Mariota provided some advice just before Daniels threw the game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat Atlanta and get into the playoffs. And Quinn and Daniels repeatedly praised Mariota for his role in practice and on the sidelines before even throwing a pass.

“Even since before I ever got here, he’s always been a guy that when I first met him, very genuine, very nice and just was like, ‘If you need anything, just let me know,’” Daniels said last season. “Marcus has been like that since Day 1.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press