Broadly anticipated to draft a passer with the second general decide on this 12 months’s draft, the Commanders are including a veteran to the combo. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is about to affix Washington on a one-year deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter experiences. The pact has a base worth of $6M and might be value as much as $10M, he provides.
Mariota’s journeyman standing will proceed with this pact. Washington will characterize the fourth completely different staff in as a few years for the previous No. 2 decide. After his run because the Titans’ starter got here to an finish in 2019, he had a two-year stint with the Raiders. That was adopted by one-year pacts in Atlanta and Philadelphia, with the Falcons being the one staff to supply a beginning alternative throughout that stretch.
The 30-year-old’s play in Atlanta got here to an finish below uncommon circumstances. Mariota left the staff earlier than in the end present process knee surgical procedure. His efficiency and well being standing restricted him to a one-year accord with the Eagles, though he has landed more cash upfront and a better most worth this time round. The Oregon alum performed in three video games final season, making an attempt 23 passes.
The Commanders have Sam Howell on the roster, having drafted the North Carolina alum in 2022. He was handed the beginning gig forward of 2023, and for a time the 23-year-old confirmed flashes of potential. Issues took a flip for the more severe towards the tip of the marketing campaign, although, and a brand new normal supervisor and head coach are in place in comparison with the regime that drafted him. Howell has been talked about in commerce discuss with the expectation Washington would add a veteran passer earlier than drafting both Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels in April.
Having Mariota in place will little doubt result in elevated chatter relating to a deal sending Howell out of the nation’s capital. Quite a few groups have already made a transfer on the backup quarterback market, however the latter (who has two extra years on his rookie contract) might nonetheless be of curiosity to groups on the lookout for a developmental possibility. Mariota, in the meantime, will intention to lock down the backup spot in Washington with the potential to see enjoying time early in 2024.