March 9, 2026, 6:15 a.m. ET
What if quarterback Marcus Mariota does not re-sign with the Washington Commanders?
Don’t you think it is a real possibility that, after getting eight starts and playing in a total of 11 games for the Commanders in 2025, Mariota might have the itch to be the starter again? Commanders Wire yesterday mentioned a couple of opportunities that might generate real interest from Mariota to move on elsewhere.
So, we have to consider the real possibilities that Mariota may choose not to re-sign with the Commanders. If he does move on, what then? Who are the Commanders’ options to sign as a veteran backup to starter Jayden Daniels? This is significant because if Daniels goes down again in 2026, this unknown veteran is only one play away from being the Commanders’ quarterback.
So, who are the veterans that free agent quarterbacks?
MALIK WILLIS: Isn’t it most likely that Willis gets offers to be paid as a starter? So Willis coming to Washington is not happening.KYLER MURRAY: Well, perhaps, but don’t you hope he might prefer the David Blough playbook over Kliff Kingsbury’s? Perhaps Murray has matured to the point of admitting an NFL quarterback has to study during the week?AARON RODGERS: Well, Rodgers is technically a free agent. But isn’t he either going to sign where he can start or retire? So, there’s a really good chance Rodgers re-signs with the Steelers. If he isn’t back in Pittsburgh, Rodgers is likely retiring.TUA TAGOVAILOA: The Dolphins are so upside-down with Tagovailoa. They absolutely owe him much more than they believe they could ever get out of him. What NFL GM would take on that contract in a trade? So look for him to be released and only be offered backup opportunities.KIRK COUSINS: Would Cousins be willing to sign somewhere as strictly the backup? He is 37 now, but some contender would love to sign him to be their backup. Would the Colts or Chiefs be interested in Cousins being a fill-in starter until Daniel Jones and Patrick Mahomes are recovered from their late season injuries requiring surgery?GENO SMITH: His opportunities of being paid as a starter appear to be in the past. He is going to have to settle for opportunities to be the backup.JOE FLACCO: Yes, I know he is 41. But are you suggesting he is not a better option than than Sam Hartman or Josh Johnson?RUSSELL WILSON: Perhaps as he has aged/matured, and is now a better locker room teammate than he was in previous stops?Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Remember, the Commanders are not going to sign any quarterback to a contract to compete for the starting job. We are simply asking, if Mariota determines to sign elsewhere, to whom do Dan Quinn and Adam Peters turn to serve as their backup quarterback?
Five more who did not make our short list: Jimmy Garoppolo, Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Gardinar Minshew, and Sam Ehlinger. That’s not an encouraging group to pick from if you’re the Commanders.