Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Malik Willis

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.

Monday, February 9, 10:35 AM

If they can find someone to take their current quarterbacks in a trade, the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are two teams to watch in the pursuit of Green Bay Packers impending free-agent QB Malik Willis, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley came from Green Bay and have an obvious connection with Willis, while new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur can get intimate knowledge of Willis' game from his brother, Matt, who is the head coach of the Packers. Fowler also lists the Cleveland Browns as a sleeper for Willis, but the hiring of head coach Todd Monken could change that, since he seems open to working with the QBs currently on the roster, including Shedeur Sanders. The 26-year-old Willis, a former third-rounder, completed 78.7% of his passes for 976 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions in 11 games (three starts) the last two years in Green Bay and is fully expected to join a new team in free agency this offseason.