Receiving an award for last week’s win won’t change Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota.
On Wednesday, Mariota was named a FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week for his role in the Commanders’ 33-31 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium.
"If he's healthy and he can play, he should play. This is his team" - On the same day Hawaii's Marcus Mariota is selected NFL's FedEx Air and Ground Player of the Week, the Commanders QB makes it clear that he's not out to "prove anything" other than helping the team win, if… pic.twitter.com/tk0dIUGHdC
— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) October 1, 2026
Three days after throwing three touchdown passes in the thrilling win over Seattle, Mariota didn’t sound disillusioned, thinking he might now challenge for the starting
job. The guy is very aware. He turns 33 on October 30; he knows the NFL. He knows Jayden Daniels’ abilities; he knows himself and his role, and he is content to be his best at fulfilling it for the Commanders.
He told the media Wednesday, “I just want to be able to help these guys win,” said Mariota. “If that means me playing well, great! If it means me managing the game and eating up the clock, taking care of the football, I will do whatever it takes to win. I am at the point in my career where that is all that really matters. I am not here to prove anything.”
Should Jayden Daniels be sitting behind Mariota rehabbing for a few more weeks? Or should Daniels be playing now with a brace?
“They are going to make a collective decision that is best for Jayden, and we are all going to support that. At the end of the day, I think if he is healthy and he can play, then he should play. This is his team. The more we can support that and give him all the tools to be successful, that’s what our roles are.”
Four simple words: "This is his team." That tells you all you need to know about Marcus Mariota and why he's so valuable to the Commanders on the field and in the locker room.
Mariota displayed contentment and maturity, explaining why the Commanders re-signed him for the 2026 season. They value his experience, his maturity, and his willingness to put himself aside, pouring himself into a bigger vision, a bigger cause than individual performance goals.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Marcus Mariota's four words to describe Jayden Daniels and Commanders
