Mariota to QB Jayden Daniels: Sharing 'Gold'

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn recently highlighted the significant impact that veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota has had on rookie Jayden Daniels , who was selected No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

With Washington officially naming Daniels as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season, the mentorship from Mariota—who was once in a similar position as the No. 2 pick in 2015—has been invaluable.

“In a perfect scenario," said Quinn. "a young quarterback would have a leader to also learn from, but perfect rarely happens. But we do have that in Marcus Mariota. Him sharing nine years of gold with Jayden, I think, has been something that’s really cool for us to see. Rookie quarterbacks usually don’t get that, and we do,”

Mariota, who has spent nearly a decade in the NFL, brings a wealth of experience as both a starter and backup, which he now channels into guiding Daniels through the challenges of his rookie season.

Mariota’s career, which began with the Tennessee Titans , has seen him journey across the league with stints at the Las Vegas Raiders , Atlanta Falcons , and Philadelphia Eagles before landing with the Commanders. While his career may not have reached the heights expected after his standout years at Oregon, Mariota has consistently demonstrated strong leadership qualities—traits that are now benefiting the Commanders.

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Quinn emphasized that Mariota’s influence extends beyond the quarterback room, positively impacting the entire team.

“When QB rooms are special, that energy can be felt throughout the entire team,” Quinn said , underscoring the importance of the camaraderie and mentorship that Mariota brings to the Commanders.

As Daniels prepares to take on the role of starting quarterback, he does so with the support and guidance of Mariota, whose experience in navigating the highs and lows of an NFL career is proving to be a valuable asset. This mentorship is setting the stage for Daniels to grow into the franchise quarterback that the Commanders hope he will become.