Commanders GM Adam Peters has made some key personnel decisions.
One was determining to pursue and sign veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota. Peters was a guest on the Sports Junkies Friday morning on 106.7 The Fan. After last week’s three touchdown passes and no interceptions against the Seahawks in a 33-31 win, Peters lauded Mariota to the Junkies.
"Getting him the first year (2024), I had heard about him and his reputation,” expressed Peters. “But the second he came into the building, he is a special, special human being. Not just as a player, but as a man. His effect he has had on the whole team (offense and defense), his leadership and especially in the quarterback room with Jayden. They both being the second pick (in the NFL Draft), both of those
guys being Heisman winners, and they have such lofty expectations. So he (Mariota) walked in his (Daniels’) path and was able to help him navigate through that.”
Peters wasn’t finished talking about Mariota; he immediately transitioned into what he had told the radio show hosts last Friday in his weekly appearance. “I said this to you guys last week, Marcus is the best backup quarterback in the league. He’s like a starter for us. So, whether he is suiting up to play or backing up Jayden and helping him on the sidelines, he's an incredible part of our team. He’s a team captain right now. It’s really hard to be a captain as a backup, but the way he leads from the front and from behind the scenes is super impressive.”
Wow, what a statement by Peters, who is usually quite careful and calculating with his words. It really makes you wonder what the Eagles were thinking when they didn't take the necessary steps to keep Mariota in Philadelphia after the 2023 season. They loved to run the zone read option, and Mariota is certainly one of the best in the NFL at it. Plus, think of the value he could have been to starter Jalen Hurts.
Mariota proved Peters right last week with his leadership, as the captains themselves went to head coach Dan Quinn to request that Mariota, because of his year-round leadership, be installed as a permanent captain for 2026. Then, just when you thought Peters couldn't add anything else, Peters dropped this bomb regarding Mariota.
“There’s very few people walking on this earth that are more impressive than Marcus Mariota.” It speaks volumes about how Mariota has accepted his role to be a supporter, an encourager, a mentor, a player-coach for the quarterbacks. Apparently, Mariota does it with such humility and professionalism that many players on the team are responding to his leadership.
Sunday, Mariota will be on the field again, hoping to lead the Commanders to a second consecutive victory. It’s not getting any easier for Mariota, as the Commanders announced Friday that receiver Terry McLaurin is now questionable after tweaking a hamstring this week.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders GM Adam Peters with massive praise for Marcus Mariota and his impact behind the scenes
