When it comes ot the most important positions in football, quarterback is the clear No. 1 for some, but the backup quarterback role might be just as important, and Washington Commanders' Marcus Mariota is an example of that.
Jayden Daniels came to the franchise last offseason with the burden of expectations placed on his young shoulders, but luckily, he had Mariota, an NFL veteran, to help ease his transition.
And it worked to a tee.
Now, Mariota is back for a second season in the nation's capital, and opened up on the mentorship role he played for Daniels last year.
"It was really unique for me, because I felt like I was kind of reliving my career, in a sense, where I was trying to help guide him in this, in ways where maybe I made a mistake or where I could have been better,” Mariota said via Spectrum News.
“So it's kind of like reliving that all over again. That experience was really fun for me. It was actually really rewarding. And to have someone like Jay, who’s just an unbelievable dude off the field, too.”
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and quarterback Marcus Mariota (18).
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and quarterback Marcus Mariota (18).
© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Daniels would have one of the best rookie seasons ever, and Marcus likely played a role in that, keeping the rookie calm, taking things off his plate that didn't need to be there, or simply just being a sounding board.
Now back behind Daniels for the 2025 season, that level of comfort for Jayden can't be underestimated as Washington looks to go one better and make the Super Bowl.
Yes, Daniels will have his trials and tribulations throughout the year, but he'll have Mariota, who has seen just about everything in the NFL, helping guide him.
The starting quarterback role isn't for the faint-hearted, and it's a tough thing to do well, but with Mariota behind him, Daniels feels poised to again make some serious noise.