Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota made his first start of the season on Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, replacing the injured Jayden Daniels. Mariota would face the NFL’s top defense without his top two offensive linemen and starting tight end.
How did Mariota do? He completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Commanders to a thrilling 33-31 upset win over the Seahawks. When the Seahawks cut the lead to two points late in the fourth quarter, Mariota and the offense needed to win the game.
Mariota said no problem. Facing a third-and-seven from the Seattle 44-yard line with 1:36 remaining, Mariota kept the football on a zone read and cut through the right side for nine
yards, securing Washington’s first victory of the season.
The win was special for Mariota, his coaches, and his teammates, and it was also big for his bank account. According to Spotrac, Mariota landed a $200K bonus by playing 60% of the Commanders’ snaps and coming away with a win.
QB Marcus Mariota secured a $200,000 bonus with the #Commanders win today over the Seahawks.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) September 27, 2026
Mariota earns $200k everytime he plays in 60% of the snaps of a Washington win (max 12) this season.
The 32-year-old Mariota signed a one-year deal with the Commanders in March, worth $7 million. It’s his third season in Washington, and he has appeared in 15 games for the Commanders, making nine starts.
Mariota could be back in the starting lineup next week, as the Commanders face the Indianapolis Colts in London. Daniels is considered ‘week-to-week,’ but it’s unknown if Washington will rush him back for Week 4.
In the meantime, Mariota has a chance to keep padding his bank account.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Marcus Mariota lands a big bonus in upset win over Seahawks
