If Marcus Mariota Departs via Free Agency, What Move Are the Commanders to Make? Hint, It’s Not That Simple…
As the NFL offseason draws closer, the Washington Commanders find themselves in a tricky situation at the quarterback position. With the impending departure of veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota via free agency, Washington must face a difficult decision: what move will the team make to fill the void left behind?
Mariota, who joined the Commanders in 2023 as a backup to starter Sam Howell, provided a reliable and experienced presence in the quarterback room. However, Mariota’s time with Washington could be nearing its end, as reports suggest he plans to explore free agency in search of a starting role or potentially a more lucrative contract. While Washington has a promising young quarterback in Howell, the team is now left to figure out how to build depth at the most important position on the field.
One option the Commanders could consider is to pursue another veteran quarterback, a move that would provide the team with a seasoned option who could step in should Howell struggle or face injury. With quarterbacks like Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield, and Jacoby Brissett hitting the open market, Washington could look to add a player who has experience starting games in the league.
However, the decision to bring in another veteran isn’t as simple as it may seem. Washington has been working to develop a stable and long-term solution at quarterback, and adding another veteran could potentially disrupt the growth of Howell, a second-year quarterback with upside. Howell showed flashes of his potential last season, and many believe he could be the future of the franchise. The Commanders have already invested time and resources into Howell, and they’ll want to see how he develops as a starter without the distraction of a veteran quarterback potentially competing for the job.
Another complicating factor is the Commanders’ financial situation. The team has multiple holes to fill on both sides of the ball, including on the offensive line, at wide receiver, and in the secondary. Signing a high-profile veteran quarterback could limit the amount of resources Washington has to improve other key positions. If the Commanders choose to allocate a large portion of their cap space to a backup quarterback, it could affect the team’s ability to build a complete roster around Howell.
With that in mind, another route Washington could consider is a low-risk, high-reward move for a developmental quarterback. The team could use the draft or the trade market to find a promising young signal caller who can serve as a reliable backup to Howell, all while continuing to develop as a potential future starter. The likes of Hendon Hooker, Jake Haener, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson could be intriguing targets in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft, with the potential to grow into valuable contributors for the Commanders down the line.
Ultimately, the decision Washington makes will come down to how the organization views Howell’s future and whether they feel confident enough in his development to forgo bringing in a more experienced backup. With a strong focus on building around the young quarterback, the Commanders will need to weigh all their options carefully and strike the right balance between securing immediate backup depth and fostering long-term growth for Howell.
No matter what route the Commanders take, it’s clear that the departure of Marcus Mariota will force the team into a strategic crossroads. The future of Washington’s quarterback position remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure: finding the right solution will be anything but simple.
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