After spending the past two seasons in Las Vegas, Marcus Mariota will be a free agent in 2022. With general confusion around the QB market this offseason, could the player who ranks 70th on PFN’s 2022 free agent rankings be in line for a starting role next season? Let’s examine Mariota’s potential market value and make some predictions for which teams could be interested in adding Mariota.
Top predictions for free agent Marcus Mariota
It’s tough to know what sort of market could open up for Mariota this year. We have heard discussions that Mitchell Trubisky could command a contract around $10 million for the year. Could Mariota, drafted in the same spot as Trubisky (second) but two years earlier (2015), be in the frame for a similar offer this offseason?
Last offseason, there were some discussions of Mariota being available for a trade out of Las Vegas. Ultimately, a move did not materialize, and Mariota agreed to a pay cut in Las Vegas to remain for the 2022 season. He has thrown just 30 passes in regular-season games in the past two years, but with so much in flux around the QB position in 2022, things look different now than a year or two ago. Let’s take a look at some predictions for where Mariota could end up this season.
Indianapolis Colts
There have been reports from the likes of Dan Graziano that Mariota would be a potential option for the Colts at QB after they traded away Wentz. PFN’s Lead National NFL Reporter Mike Kaye has reported that the Colts were interested in Mariota last offseason before trading for Wentz. Therefore, they could be in the market to add the former Titans QB this time around as a free agent.
The Colts currently have just Sam Ehlinger and James Morgan on their roster, while Brett Hundley played on the 2021 practice squad. After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last year, it would be a surprise to see the Colts not add a veteran gunslinger this offseason. They have some options, but with a roster that has proven it can compete right now, making the right decision this offseason is critical. They have the salary cap space and should not lose out on their desired QB target.
Pittsburgh Steelers
What the Steelers do at QB is one of the intriguing storylines of this offseason. They clearly like Mason Rudolph, and they also added Dwayne Haskins after his release by Washington. If the Steelers feel they just need a steady hand at QB, we could see them look down the seemingly much-trodden route of Rudolph. However, if they want more of a wild card to start in Week 1, Haskins is an intriguing option.
Somewhere between those two options is Mariota. He will not have the scheme familiarity of Rudolph, but he has more upside. Meanwhile, some may view his upside as lower than Haskins’, but he is a more well-known quantity. All of that will be playing into the Steelers’ decision-making. They have a few free agent options they can explore, but Mariota might be the perfect blend of upside and a calm hand.
New York Giants
Brian Daboll came from Buffalo, where he created success with a QB that can move and make plays with his legs. In Daniel Jones, he already has a QB of that style. But if he is looking for competition for Jones, the Mariota could provide an option. Mariota would be an interesting fit in Daboll’s scheme. Additionally, the chance to work with the man credited for developing Josh Allen into the star he has become could be tempting for Mariota this offseason.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks recently agreed to trade away Russell Wilson and are now looking at some decisions at the QB position. Drew Lock and Jacob Eason are on the roster; Geno Smith is set to be a free agent. The fact that Seattle included Lock in the Wilson trade would suggest the Seahawks at least want to see what he can offer.
However, a player like Mariota would be an intriguing one to have compete with Lock. Mariota has the mobility in his game to take the Seahawks’ offense back to the style it operated when Wilson was in his early years with the franchise. If the Seahawks aren’t ready for a full rebuild, Mariota could be an option for them.