Saint Louis alumnus Marcus Mariota is embracing a new role — as well as a new number — with his fifth NFL team.
Mariota, who donned jersey No. 8 for most of his football career, wore No. 1 with the Atlanta Falcons. With his team team, the Washington Commanders, he’s wearing No. 0, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to do so.
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The Commanders went 4-13 in 2023, securing the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They used that pick on reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who will compete with Mariota for the job.
Despite the fact that he’ll compete with Daniels for the job, Mariota is hoping to build rapport and appears ready to mentor Daniels.
“I think competition makes everybody better,” Mariota said. “Regardless of who is the starter Day 1, I checked my ego a long time ago. I really believe that when you have a healthy quarterback room that’s really just trying to compete and make each other better, you’re going to eventually get everybody in that room to play at their best level.
“So, regardless of who’s a starter Week One, I’m gonna do everything I can to be the best version of myself and also bring out the best out of my teammates. I love ball, I love being around it. Regardless of what my situation entails, I put a smile on my face, I love coming to work, and that’s not going to be any different if I’m here or somewhere else. I don’t change my mentality for anything.”
The Commanders are currently going through organized team activities (OTAs) before beginning camp in July. The preseason begins in July, with preseason games taking place in August. Washington will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to begin Week 1 of the regular season on Sept. 8.