The Washington Commanders open training camp on July 18, when the rookie class is scheduled to report. Washington’s veterans are due in Ashburn five days later. The 2024 Commanders will look significantly different from last year’s team. Washington has a new general manager (Adam Peters) and coaching staff, too, led by Dan Quinn.
The roster is also different. The Commanders signed over 20 free agents and added nine draft picks and 11 undrafted free agents. How good can Washington be in 2024? Could the Commanders go from worst to first?
Over the next several weeks, we will preview the 2024 season by looking at the 30 most important Commanders. Kicking things off is quarterback Marcus Mariota. Washington fans know the significance of a solid backup, and Mariota will serve two roles in 2024: backup and mentor to Jayden Daniels.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (92) during the first half in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Quarterback
Age: 31
Experience: 10th season
2024 cap hit: $6 milloin
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mariota, like Daniels, is a former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick. He spent his first five seasons with the Tennessee Titans before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent in 2020. After two years as Derek Carr’s backup, Mariota moved to Atlanta in 2022, where he received another opportunity to start. He spent the 2023 season with the Eagles as a backup to Jalen Hurts.
For his career, Mariota has appeared in 90 games with 74 starts.
Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball as New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) and safety Xavier McKinney (29) pursue during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Mariota signed a one-year deal to serve as Hurts’ backup in Philadelphia. He appeared in three games for the Eagles, completing 15 of his 23 attempts for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Jun 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jeff Driskel (16) and Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (0) prepare to pass a ball during OTA workouts at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
When Mariota signed in March, Sam Howell was still under contract. But not for long. Washington traded Howell, and it became clear its focus for 2024 was pairing the veteran Mariota with a rookie. The Commanders’ plan was Daniels all along, so Mariota made sense as a veteran backup/mentor.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Marcus Mariota #1 of the Atlanta Falcons walks off the field after losing to the Washington Commanders 19-13 at FedExField on November 27, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
What really happened between Mariota and the Falcons in 2022?
When the Commanders first signed Mariota, many wondered if he fit in a backup/mentor role, considering how his time in Atlanta ended. The outside perception was that once the Falcons turned to rookie Desmond Ridder, Mariota quit the team. Mariota and former Falcons coach Arthur Smith have explained that this was not the case. Mariota seems to have embraced the mentor role with Washington.
Source link : https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/lists/30-most-important-commanders-2024-no-30-marcus-mariota-quarterback-jayden-daniels/
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Publish date : 2024-07-05 05:00:00
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