Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Anthony Richardson Sr.

Friday, January 2, 12:26 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (hand) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota was a stretch to make it back to play in the final game of the year after injuring his hand in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles. The 32-year-old veteran was held out of the Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 and will now miss a second straight game to end the year. Journeyman QB Josh Johnson will make a second straight start for the Commanders. Mariota ended up playing in 11 games (eight starts) this year while filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, and he held his own, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 297 yards on the ground and a TD.

Tuesday, February 17, 8:33 AM

The Indianapolis Colts have made it clear that Daniel Jones (Achilles) is their starting quarterback when he returns to full health, and ESPN's Stephen Holder writes that "it's becoming increasingly likely" that former first-rounder Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) "will wind up elsewhere." Richardson lost the preseason QB battle to Jones last summer, and the Colts have also "warmed to the idea" that sixth-rounder Riley Leonard can be the backup. According to team sources, Richardson has yet to request a trade, "but it is beginning to feel inevitable." Even though Richardson has been a disappointment and suffered a freak orbital bone injury in 2025, the Colts should be able to get something in return for a signal-caller who will be just 24 next season and is a former first-rounder. Richardson has elite rushing upside, but accuracy as a passer has been an issue, and he hasn't been able to stay healthy. There's no guarantee he'll compete for a starting role if he's traded away this offseason.