Former No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota has lived largely under the radar since losing his starting job to Ryan Tannehill. Mariota’s last start came for the Tennessee Titans in Week 6 of the 2019 season. He’s thrown 31 passes total since. But with multiple teams needing a starting quarterback a full week into NFL free agency, could 2022 bring a return to prominence for Mariota?
Potential landing spots for quarterback Marcus Mariota
Mariota has been a loyal backup to Derek Carr in Las Vegas the last two seasons. In the rare opportunities he’s had to play, he’s done well.
Mariota, with a career 62.8% completion rate and an 89.5 passer rating, will probably never again be a guy an NFL team plans and builds around.
But he is probably better, and certainly no worse, than Drew Lock, Sam Ehlinger, and Sam Darnold, who are currently the projected QB1s for the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, and Carolina Panthers, respectively.
Seattle Seahawks
The Russell Wilson trade created a hole at quarterback for the first time in a decade for the Seahawks. Baker Mayfield makes a ton of sense via trade, but if he goes to the Colts, the Seahawks need a veteran to lead what on paper is still a pretty talented roster.
Pete Carroll never met a first-down run he didn’t love, and Mariota — with his 6.0 career yards per carry average — would seem to be a pretty decent scheme fit. Jimmy Garoppolo is likely not an option, considering the 49ers won’t be inclined to help a division rival.
Indianapolis Colts
Everything we wrote about the Seahawks applies to the Colts. Jonathan Taylor is the heartbeat of the Colts’ offense, and that won’t change even if the Colts land Mayfield.
But if the Colts don’t trade for Mayfield or Garoppolo, they’re in big trouble at quarterback. They could look to the draft, but it’s hard to envision any of this year’s class being ready to step in and play right away. Mariota would be a willing bridge to the future.
Carolina Panthers
After swinging and missing on Deshaun Watson, the Panthers are back to square one at quarterback. That’s terrible news for Matt Rhule, who surely doesn’t want to enter what looks to be a make-or-break season with Darnold under center again.
Atlanta Falcons
Of course, this is only a realistic possibility if Matt Ryan is traded. And now he has – Matt Ryan has been traded to the Colts. Keep an eye out as this destination would make sense on several levels, and sources tell NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo that Atlanta is expected to pursue a reunion with Mariota and head coach Arthur Smith, who was with Mariota during his time with the Titans.
AJ McCarron, Josh Rose, and Feleipe Franks are the only other quarterbacks on the Falcons roster, so Mariota would be the starter. Atlanta could look to draft a quarterback early, which would then open a starting QB competition between the veteran and rookie.