The Washington Commanders are in the minority when it comes to keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Only 13 teams opted to keep a third signal-caller on the active roster, meaning only 41% of the league will have the opportunity to take advantage of the NFL’s emergency quarterback rule after the NFLPA rejected proposed changes earlier this week.
A player on Washington’s quarterback roster will swap his jersey number before kickoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 8. On Wednesday afternoon, the Commanders announced that veteran passer Marcus Mariota is moving from No. 0 to No. 18 for this year.
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Mariota wore his new fingers as he took to the practice field today. The former No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is Jayden Daniels’ primary backup.
The change paved the way for Commanders rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil to return to a familiar number. He takes over Mariota’s former No. 0, the same number Sainristil wore as he developed into a star and national champion at Michigan.
Marcus Mariota now wears No. 18 for the Washington Commanders – CB Mike Sainristil wears No. 0 pic.twitter.com/oYOfj0T4Q1
– David Harrison (@DHarrison82) 28 August 2024
Mariota (No. 18) joins third-string quarterback Jeff Driskel (No. 16) in the double-digit number club. Daniels (No. 5), the second pick in April’s draft, is one of two members of Washington’s offense who will wear single-digit numbers, along with running back Brian Robinson Jr. (No. 8).
The Commanders signed Mariota to a one-year contract in March. Back then, he was set to be the first quarterback in NFL history to wear No. 0, but that obviously won’t be the case now in 2024. Mariota is entering his 10th year in the league and should be a solid veteran presence behind Daniels who can act as a mentor and contribute in the game when needed.
READ MORE: Commanders 2023 draft class decimated after roster cuts
Stay with CommanderGameday and the Commanders in the crosshairs Podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders during the 2024 season.
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