Marcus Mariota’s emotional trip during Commanders’ | Sports News

Marcus Mariota made an emotional return to Oregon during the Washington Commanders’ NFL bye week, becoming a member of ESPN’s College Gameday forward of the Ducks’ conflict with USC. The 32-year-old has been beginning for the struggling Commanders whereas franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels continues his restoration from damage.

The Commanders are 3-8 in 2025, sitting third within the NFC East behind the Dallas Cowboys and the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. Mariota and Co. will likely be hoping that their bye week yields optimistic outcomes when the Commanders return to NFL motion on Nov. 30 towards the Denver Broncos.

In his time off, the quarterback has determined to make an emotional return to Oregon as half of ESPN’s College GameDay protection, serving to ship his visitor skilled picks on the highest Saturday school soccer video games. His beloved 9-1 Ducks will host the 8-2 Trojans at Autzen Stadium.

It was in Oregon that Mariota received the Heisman Trophy in 2014, throwing for 42 touchdowns towards simply 4 interceptions that season whereas additionally speeding for 15 more scores. In the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota was then taken second total by the Tennessee Titans — however his professional profession hasn’t precisely gone to plan.

Still, Mariota, who was inducted into the Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame, and most of the panel have backed the Ducks to get the job executed over their No. 15 rivals. “Oh, it’s surreal. It’s home for me, best place to play college football, and I can’t thank this crowd enough. It’s a special moment for me,” Mariota stated about returning to Oregon.

“Very rewarding, and that’s what it’s about. It’s always about the next generation, and it’s fun to see these guys come out and play well, and play well for these fans,” Mariota stated on with the ability to mentor different quarterbacks which have come by way of the Ducks system.

“Give me the Ducks, baby,” Mariota stated on the panel, giving his prediction towards the Trojans. Back on the Commanders, Mariota will hope to have the identical optimism.

Mariota has crammed in for Daniels and is 1-4 as a starter this season. Recently, the Commanders suffered a brutal 16-13 extra time loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday within the first-ever NFL recreation held in Spain, and Quinn was devastated.

Heartbreak in Europe

Mariota did his best to attempt to secure the win, as famous by Quinn. “Guys are definitely hurting,” Quinn stated. “They battled, and we had an opportunity to go win it, but we didn’t get that done. I liked the energy going into the game, that felt right.

“Some goal-line stops on protection positively introduced some power. I preferred seeing the large scramble from Marcus [Mariota]. I’ve talked about profitable time moments and missed alternatives.

“That’s what it felt like to me afterwards. Creating a takeaway on defense when you have a chance to go do that, or missed chances on a touchdown in the red zone. Missed kicks. Getting a chance to get a lead and not being able to close it out, that’s the part that stings the most.”