The Washington Commanders’ losing streak reached five straight games on Sunday, but quarterback Marcus Mariota isn’t sugarcoating the reality of where the team stands. Following a 44-22 loss to the Detroit Lions, the veteran quarterback gave a brutally honest assessment of the Commanders’ struggles — one that fans might not want to hear but likely needed to.
Mariota completed 16 of 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, finishing the day with a 133.3 passer rating and an 82.8 QBR. His performance was one of his best this season, yet Washington still came up short as its defense allowed Detroit to score on its first eight possessions.
“I don’t feel we’re close,” Mariota told reporters after the loss. “And at the same time, though, day in and day out, I see guys coming in, giving it their all. So I do feel like we have the motivation, the determination to get this right. But we’re running out of games, and we’re running out of time.”
Marcus Mariota Speaks Honestly About the Commanders’ Identity
Injuries have been a defining issue for the Commanders all season. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has missed four games, and star wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been sidelined for six. The duo hasn’t played together since week 2, leaving the offense inconsistent and forcing Mariota to throw to recently signed receivers and practice-squad call-ups.
Through the first five weeks, Washington ranked among the top rushing teams in the league. Since then, they’ve struggled to establish any rhythm. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury recently said the team needs to “get the run game back to where it was early in the season.”
Mariota didn’t shy away from calling out what’s missing. “I think that’s the truth,” he said when asked if the Commanders are still trying to figure out who they are. “And I think that’s transparency. At the end of the day, in order to get things going in the right direction, you have to be transparent, you have to be honest. And I don’t think we are who we think we are.”
Still, Mariota emphasized unity and urgency. “It’s a quick turnaround. It’s a trip to Europe. It’s an opportunity for us to kind of dive in together,” he said. “I believe in this brotherhood. I believe in the guys in the locker room. But there’s got to be a sense of urgency, and I think our guys feel that.”
Mariota Urges Fans to Keep Believing
Despite the frustration, Mariota made it clear he hasn’t lost faith in head coach Dan Quinn or his teammates. “We’re not where we want to be, and we understand that,” Mariota said. “Continue to believe in this team, continue to believe in Q, continue to believe in the leaders of this group, because I’ve been in a lot of different locker rooms. I’ve been a part of teams that would have shut this down two, three weeks ago. So, with that being said, there’s fight in this dog. I believe in it, and we’re gonna get this right.”
“Every year is very unique. Every year poses different challenges,” Mariota added. “It’s gonna take a collective effort to get this thing going in the right direction. With that being said, I believe in these guys.”
The Commanders now sit at 3-7, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They’ll need a near-perfect run to finish the season strong, starting with a week 11 matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid.
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