Oregon Ducks legend on track to start this week for the Washington Commanders and could show the NFL he still has something left to offer as a starting NFL quarterback
Marcus Mariota is preparing as if he will be starting Sunday in place of an injured Jayden Daniels.
Former Oregon Ducks legend Marcus Mariota could be back in the spotlight this Sunday as the veteran Washington Commanders quarterback prepares to step in for rookie Jayden Daniels. For Oregon Ducks fans, the possibility of Mariota starting again in the NFL offers another chance to reflect on how far their Heisman Trophy winner has come – and how much he still means to the game.
Daniels, who injured his left knee last Thursday against Green Bay, did not practice Wednesday and is considered “day to day,” according to head coach Dan Quinn. “We want him back when he can play like himself,” Quinn told reporters, stressing caution rather than rushing the first-round pick back into action. That leaves Mariota, the seasoned veteran, taking all the first-team reps this week.
Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready
It’s a familiar situation for the former Duck. Mariota has built a career on readiness as a starter or backup. Last season, he filled in for Daniels twice, delivering impressive numbers: a combined 33-of-41 for 366 yards and four touchdowns. In a thrilling finale against Dallas, he capped the performance with a five-yard game-winning strike to Terry McLaurin with just two seconds on the clock.
“My routine stays the same,” said Mariota, who re-signed with Washington in the offseason. “It just kind of creates that normal procedure for me, and it allows me just to go out there and play and not have to worry about, OK, I got to do this extra, I got to do that. I just kind stick to my process and allow that process to work.”
Those flashes remind Oregon fans of the electric player who lifted the Ducks to national prominence. From 2012 to 2014, Mariota redefined quarterback play in Eugene. He threw for over 10,000 yards, rushed for over 2,200, and accounted for 105 total touchdowns. Most memorably, he became the first Oregon player to win the Heisman Trophy in 2014, leading the Ducks to the national title game. His poise, accuracy, and trademark humility made him a program icon and a source of pride for the entire Northwest.
Now, at 31, Mariota isn’t just a quarterback – he’s a mentor. His presence in Washington’s locker room allows Daniels to learn from someone who has navigated the highs and the challenges of NFL life. “He’s ready to step in,” Quinn said, and there’s little doubt Mariota will be prepared if his number is called.
Whether he starts this week or not, Ducks fans can take pride in knowing their Heisman winner is still making an impact, earning trust, and still representing Oregon’s legacy at the highest level.
