Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota has almost always worn the No. 8 jersey. That’s the number he wore during his record-breaking college career at Oregon. He wore the No. 8 during his first five NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He wore No. 8 during his two years with the Las Vegas Raiders and one year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
There have been only two years where Mariota hasn’t worn No. 8: In 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons and last season with the Commanders.
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That’s no longer the case. After the Commanders traded running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers last week, Mariota’s old number became available. He didn’t run straight to GM Adam Peters’ office and ask for the number out of respect for Robinson, who’d been with the Commanders for the last three seasons and was well-liked and respected.
Instead, after Washington finalized its 53-man roster this week, the Commanders had the No. 8 jersey waiting in his locker when he returned to practice on Wednesday. It meant a lot to Mariota.
“It’s a very meaningful number to me,” Mariota said. “You always want to be respectful, especially with B-Rob and his contributions to this franchise. It was really cool, they actually left it hanging in my locker. They were really cool about it, and I’m looking forward to wearing it.”
And you wonder why the Commanders are now a destination franchise. Sometimes, it’s just the little things that matter most. Mariota may not be the starting quarterback, but he’s a beloved and respected veteran. Peters and head coach Dan Quinn knew his original number was special to him.
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When Mariota initially signed with the Commanders in March 2024, he was going to wear No. 0, but later gave it to rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil and took the No. 18 jersey.
We have to say, No. 8 looks right on Mariota.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders QB Marcus Mariota appreciates team’s gesture