Eagles QB Marcus Mariota Reveals Why He Signed With Philly

New Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Marcus Mariota, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, is content being a backup for now but still holds out hope he can be a starter again somewhere.

When the opportunity to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles was presented to Marcus Mariota, he didn’t skip a beat.

There were two big reasons, he said: Jalen Hurts and Super Bowl.

“To be part of a team that was a play away from winning a Super Bowl was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said the veteran quarterback during a Zoom call with Eagles reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

Mariota, who was the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, signed a one-year deal on March 20.

“I’m very excited to be in this quarterback room,” he said. “I think it’s important you have a strong quarterback room.”

On one hand, he is content right now being a backup quarterback.

On the other hand, the fire to be a starter again somewhere still burns.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for me to hopefully help a younger guy out,” said Mariota. “I’m at a point in my career where I’ve experienced everything. I’ve been the guy, I’ve been a scout team guy, I’ve been released, so through all those different situations and scenarios I just gathered a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge.

“I’m at a point in my career where I just want to enjoy the game. I want to have fun doing it.”

Still just 29, however, Mariota isn’t giving up on being a starter again someday.

As long as Hurts remains healthy, it won’t be in Philadelphia.

“When you go out there and you compete against yourself every single day, and you try to make yourself better, I think that makes the room better,” said Mariota. “That’s always been my focus. I just try to be the best version of myself day in and day out, best teammate, best quarterback, best father, best husband.

“When it comes down to that, I can just take those little days one at a time. Hopefully, I’ll get another opportunity, but for now, I’m excited just to be a great teammate. I’m excited to learn from Jalen. I’m excited to learn from this staff. I think together, we can go and accomplish great things, and that’s what my main focus is.”

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Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI Fan Nation Eagles Today. Please follow him on Twitter: @kracze. 

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