Marcus Mariota made an emotional return to Oregon during the Washington Commanders’ NFL bye week, joining ESPN’s College Gameday ahead of the Ducks’ clash with USC. The 32-year-old has been starting for the struggling Commanders while franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels continues his recovery from injury.

The Commanders are 3-8 in 2025, sitting third in the NFC East behind the Dallas Cowboys and the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. Mariota and Co. will be hoping that their bye week yields positive results when the Commanders return to NFL action on Nov. 30 against the Denver Broncos.

In his time off, the quarterback has decided to make an emotional return to Oregon as part of ESPN’s College GameDay coverage, helping deliver his guest expert picks on the top Saturday college football games. His beloved 9-1 Ducks will host the 8-2 Trojans at Autzen Stadium.

It was in Oregon that Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2014, throwing for 42 touchdowns against just four interceptions that season while also rushing for 15 more scores. In the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota was then taken second overall by the Tennessee Titans — but his pro career hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

Still, Mariota, who was inducted into the Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame, and most of the panel have backed the Ducks to get the job done over their No. 15 rivals. “Oh, it’s surreal. It’s home for me, best place to play college football, and I can’t thank this crowd enough. It’s a special moment for me,” Mariota said about returning to Oregon.

“Very rewarding, and that’s what it’s about. It’s always about the next generation, and it’s fun to see these guys come out and play well, and play well for these fans,” Mariota said on being able to mentor other quarterbacks that have come through the Ducks system.

“Give me the Ducks, baby,” Mariota said on the panel, giving his prediction against the Trojans. Back at the Commanders, Mariota will hope to have the same optimism.

Mariota has filled in for Daniels and is 1-4 as a starter this season. Recently, the Commanders suffered a brutal 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in the first-ever NFL game held in Spain, and Quinn was devastated.

Heartbreak in Europe

Mariota did his best to try to secure the win, as noted by Quinn. “Guys are definitely hurting,” Quinn said. “They battled, and we had an opportunity to go win it, but we didn’t get that done. I liked the energy going into the game, that felt right.

“Some goal-line stops on defense definitely brought some energy. I liked seeing the big scramble from Marcus [Mariota]. I’ve talked about winning time moments and missed opportunities.

“That’s what it felt like to me afterwards. Creating a takeaway on defense when you have a chance to go do that, or missed chances on a touchdown in the red zone. Missed kicks. Getting a chance to get a lead and not being able to close it out, that’s the part that stings the most.”