What is the best landing spot for Marcus Mariota?

The Las Vegas Raiders have been fortunate to have one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL over the past two seasons. Marcus Mariota, who was the backup quarterback breathing down Derek Carr’s neck in each training camp, will be a free agent in 2022 and will surely have an opportunity to chase another potential starting QB gig this offseason.

Mariota has rightfully been named the most underrated free-agent QB by Pro Football Focus. The former Oregon Duck is still 28 years old and he’s accumulated 13,437 passing yards, 1,574 rushing yards, 77 passing touchdowns, and 45 interceptions, in his career. He also led the Titans to a winning record in three of his four seasons as a starter. Mariota might have lost the starting gig to Ryan Tannehill, who recently led his team to the number one seed in the AFC, but he has plenty of athletic ability and experience to earn a starting opportunity in 2022.

There will be a lot of teams interested in Mariota due to his age, dual-threat ability, and positive character. The NFL witnessed Jameis Winston take a “Harvard education” with the Saints in 2020. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB clearly came back sharper and more motivated with the Saints, as he led them to a 5-2 record. Mariota, who was once selected second overall in the 2015 draft, could follow in a similar path as Winston, who was picked first overall in the 2015 draft.

It’s widely enunciated that the former Heisman winner will have a golden opportunity to lead a team in 2022. The question is: which team will the Hawaii native lead? Well, here are likely destinations for Mariota.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look to add a QB this offseason to compete with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Mike Tomlin has stated that he wants an elusive QB to join his squad. Mariota could be the dual-threat QB that Tomlin adheres to.

I also expect free agent Jameis Winston to re-sign with the New Orleans Saints and Tomlin to prefer Mariota over the likes of Mitchell Trubisky, Jacoby Brissett, and Andy Dalton. Mariota has to be fascinated by the combination of talent in Pittsburgh and the opportunity to yield the ability. It wouldn’t be long until Mariota seeks revenge on his old Titans squad in a pivotal matchup if he suited up in a black and yellow uniform.

Washington Commanders

Mariota has a good opportunity to earn the keys to the Washington offense and outduel Taylor Heinicke and a potential rookie for the starting gig. Heinicke recorded 20 passing touchdowns, but he also threw porous 15 interceptions. It’s clear that Washington is looking to add a QB who can push Heinicke for the starting gig this offseason.

Mariota could be thrilled about the idea of playing with Terry McLaurin, who notched 77 receptions, 1,053 yards, and five touchdowns with a mediocre QB situation last season. Washington also has Antonio Gibson (1,037 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns) and Curtis Samuel to help him. Washington isn’t the same caliber of team as the Steelers, but they could aim to outbid the Steelers for his services.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers will insert Trey Lance into the driver’s seat, but Lance is still an unproven commodity. It would be wise for Kyle Shanahan to add a quality backup QB, particularly a QB that has a similar skillet to Lance.

Shanny wouldn’t have to alter the scheme significantly if Mariota filled in for Lance (vice versa). Both QBs can run the read-option, QB draw, and make throw it well on the run. It’s well noted how both QBs can burn LBs in the open field, as both QBs can run the 40 yard dash in the 4.5s. Shanny was in love with Andy Dalton the last offseason and that’s a route that he could go, but he could be more interested in the younger, more explosive Mariota. The former Titans QB could be intrigued about the culture and opportunity in the Bay area, but he will have to accept that Lance will be harder to beat out than Mason Rudolph and Taylor Heinicke.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans reeled in Tyrod Taylor as a free agent QB in 2021 and they could tempt Mariota to join them in 2022. Their 2021 rookie David Fales was exceptional for the Texans, especially given his situation. The Texans shipped away their best RB in Mark Ingram early in the season and they struggled to have playmakers outside of Brandin Cooks.

Still, the Texans could bring in a playmaker to join Cooks and then show Mariota a convincing offer. I wouldn’t expect Mariota to be filled of joy with the thought of joining the Texans, but they could offer add more talent and show him the money! They have roughly $18 million, according to “Over the Cap”, so they could afford to risk a big offer to him. Texans fans will have to hope he’s not the next “Brock Osweiler”.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have the inspirational Teddy Bridgewater, but he is a free agent in 2022. It’s far from certain if he will return in 2022. Bridgewater went 7-7 and nicely utilized Jerry Jeudy. Yet, the future is murky with Teddy B. He has never played a full season in the NFL and his ceiling isn’t scary. Bridgewater can take care of the football and be efficient, but the one-time Pro Bowler has never thrown more than 20 touchdowns in a season. He’s not going to go blow for blow with QBs like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow.

The Broncos will really have to play sound football in a division with Patrick Mahomes if they expect to be a championship team with Bridgewater. They could be more enticed about the idea of Mariota and a rookie battling it out (I’m also assuming Drew Lock is traded). There is an option c for the Broncos, which is the Aaron Rodgers (and Davante Adams?) trade. The Broncos have an elite Von Miller-less defense, but they have one of the most mysterious QB outlooks in 2022.

Honorable mention:

New York Jets

The New York Jets may not seem like a fun short-term fit in Mariota’s mind, but they could be a logical fit for a few reasons. The Jets really need a QB, as they desperately acquired the washed-up, former Jets QB in 2021. Zach Wilson has high expectations, but he hasn’t proven to be consistent at the pro level and there’s reason to say he has minor injury concerns, too. The Jets pass protection needs to be upgraded, so they may have more trust in a veteran running the offense in the near future. Wilson was sacked a whopping 44 times in 13 games last season.

The Jets have the fourth most cap space in the league and they could display a lucrative deal that Mariota may not want to pass up. Similar to the Texans, the Jets could bring in a stud weapon early on, so Mariota is more fascinated about playing in the Big Apple. The former Titans QB would have his work cut out in the AFC East with Josh Allen, Mac “giddy” Jones, and Tua Tagovailoa, but I don’t expect Mariota to shy away from the big lights.