Marcus Mariota to Start vs the Colts

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Washington Commanders passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For the first time since Avengers: Endgame was the top grossing movie in the US (2019), the Colts will face off against Marcus Mariota at Quarterback. On Friday the Washington Commanders announced that starting QB Jaden Daniels would be out for a 2nd straight week with an elbow injury. Thus Mariota gets another start after leading a surprise upset victory over the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seahawks in Week 3.

Dan Quinn says Jayden Daniels (elbow) is out for this weekend. Marcus Mariota getting the start.

- David Harrison (@DHarrison82) October 2, 2026

Last week Mariota had 3 Passing TDs: one to RB Rachaad White, one to fellow former Tennessee Titan (albeit different eras) Treylon Burks, and one to former Mr Indiana Football Terry McLaurin.

He has yet to turn the ball over, and out of 32 QBs with 45+ Passing Attempts, Mariota ranks 11th in On Target Throw Rate at 77.3% (Daniel Jones is right behind him at 12th with 76.3%). And its not because Mariota has been dinking and dunking with short throws either, he ranks 7th in Average Depth of Throw with 8.5 showing a willingness to test a Defense vertically (stats per Sports Info Solutions).

Highest rate of Big Time Throws on deep passes this season

Patrick Mahomes 62.5%
Brock Purdy 57.1%
Drew Lock 50.0%
Marcus Mariota 42.9%
Jalen Hurts 41.7% pic.twitter.com/K1Odc63ijy

- PFF (@PFF) September 30, 2026

The 32 year old former 2nd Overall Pick for the Tennessee Titans has a 2-5 record as a starter against the Colts from his 2015-2019 tenure with the AFC South rival to start his career. In those 7 career games he has racked up:

• 143/217 Passing = 65.9% Completion %
• 1,618 Passing Yards
• 7.5 Yards Per Attempt
• 9 Passing TDs
• 6 INTs
• 20 Sacks
• 90.4 Passer Rating
• 21 Carries
• 96 Rushing Yards
• 4.6 Yards Per Carry
• 0 Rushing TDs
• 4 Fumbles

.@Seahawks @ Commanders Marcus Mariota stepped in and stepped up to Command the Commanders to first WIN. He was nothing short of brilliant v the NFL's best defense #BaldysBreakdownspic.twitter.com/OmpomFSWz9

- Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 29, 2026

But it has been 7 years since then, and in that time Marcus Mariota has bounced around the league. His NFL journey has had 4 different stops since he lost the starting job to Ryan Tannehill mid-2019 season:

• The Las Vegas Raiders backup QB (2020-2021)
• 13 Game Starter with the Atlanta Falcons (2022)
• Backup QB for the Philadelphia Eagles (2023)
• Backup QB with the Washington Commanders, 8 starts in 2025 with Daniels injured (2024-present)

Marcus Mariota helped lead the @commanders to a 100% chance of winning their first game of the season pic.twitter.com/zZ3qnShLwQ

- NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026

Since leaving the Titans, Mariota has appeared in 43 games (22 starts) and recorded some solid stats as a journeyman:

• 420/671 Passing = 62.6% Completion %
• 4,966 Passing Yards
• 7.4 Yards Per Attempts
• 35 Passing TDs
• 18 INTs
• 52 Sacks
• 91.3 Passer Rating
• 189 Carries
• 1,068 Rushing Yards
• 5.7 Yards Per Carry
• 8 Rushing TDs
• 16 Fumbles

As both teams journey to London, England to face off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Colts have an opportunity to beat an old foe once again and Mariota has a shot at redemption against one of his biggest obstacles from early in his career.