Commanders 'Best Fit' for Falcons Ex Marcus Mariota?

The Atlanta Falcons cut Marcus Mariota after starting 13 games at quarterback for them last season. Could he sign with the Washington Commanders in free agency?

Jeremy Brener | Mar 12, 2023

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Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are looking for a quarterback this offseason, but the team is looking for a very specific player.

That player has to have starter potential in the case that second-year pro Sam Howell doesn't live up to standards, but also be just enough to create competition between the two.

According to Bleacher Report, that player could be Marcus Mariota, who was cut by the Atlanta Falcons last month.

"Mariota isn't a high-volume passer, but he can keep an offense afloat when healthy and still has great mobility," Bleacher Report writes. "He rushed for 438 yards and four touchdowns this past season. With him under center, the Falcons went 4-4 before the wheels fell off in November and early December.

"Because of his experience, Mariota could have an edge over Howell and at least start the season under center as he did last year with the Falcons."

Mariota would give the Commanders a mobile option at quarterback, something Carson Wentz was unable to provide. But it would also open the door for Howell to eventually start at some point in 2023.

Last season, Mariota started 13 games for the Falcons, throwing for 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He held the starting job longer than expected because the Falcons were keeping pace with the rest of their division. If Mariota can keep the team competitive while also leaving open the option for Howell to eventually overtake him, he could be the Commanders' guy.

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Published Mar 12, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.