The Washington Commanders made a lot of focused moves this offseason to bring in veteran talent where there was none, with trades for players like offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and versatile wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
What might have been overlooked in that process is how well the Commanders were able to keep certain veterans in place who were already on the roster.
That meant new, one year contracts for standouts like linebacker Bobby Wagner, tight end Zach Ertz and, maybe most importantly, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
In the NFL, where teams are only one play away from their season going off the rails, a great backup quarterback is a team’s best insurance policy and in 2025, the Commanders might have the very best backup quarterback in the league in Mariota.
Why Commanders, Mariota Fit So Perfectly
While there are definitely backups on other NFL teams who have had more success as starters, no one can touch what the Commanders have with Mariota in terms of his familiarity with the starter, knowledge of the offense or being a facsimile of the starter like he is.
The Commanders wasted little time bringing back Mariota for a second season after he played 2024 on a 1-year, $6 million contract, signing him to a 1-year, $8 million contract on March 12.
Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, will have a whopping $83.5 million in career earnings following the 2025 season.
From ESPN on March 12: “Free agent quarterback Marcus Mariota is returning to the Washington Commanders on a one-year, $8 million deal, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday. Mariota served as rookie Jayden Daniels’ backup with the Commanders in 2024. Daniels and the coaches often praised Mariota for his mentorship of the rookie, but he also helped Washington win two games after the rookie starter was injured.”
Commanders Legit Super Bowl Contenders
Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner at LSU, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and established himself as the starter almost from the moment he stepped foot in the team’s facilities, leading the Commanders to a 12-5 record, winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and making it to the NFC Championship Game for the firs time since 1991.
Daniels taking over was a seamless transition, which owes a lot to Mariota’s professionalism. And the few times Mariota was pressed into service, he delivered for his team and in turn delivered himself another significant payday.
Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, Daniels went down with a rib injury on the first offensive series and Mariota came in to throw for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 40-7 win.
In the regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys, Mariota played the second half and led the Commanders to a 23-19 win by going 16-of-18 passing for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns to go with 56 rushing yards and 1 touchdown.
Now, the most important thing for the Commanders moving forward is maximizing the 3 seasons they’ve got Daniels playing on a rookie contract because following the 2026 season, there’s a good chance he could become the first player in NFL history to make $75 million per season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Commanders’ $83 Million Former No. 2 Overall Pick Labeled NFL’s Best appeared first on Heavy Sports.