Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Phillip Walker

Sunday, January 5, 4:15 PM

Washington Commanders Marcus Mariota led the Commanders to a thrilling victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. Mariota replaced Jayden Daniels at the start of the second half. With the Commanders already locked into a playoff spot, they opted to protect their rookie QB. However, this victory pushed them up to the No.6 seed in the NFC. Over the final two quarters, Mariota went 15-for-18 with 161 yards and two touchdowns. He added 56 yards and a score on five carries. He found Zach Ertz on a five-yard strike late in the third quarter. Then in the fourth, Mariota punched in a score at the goal line and would then find his top wideout Terry McLaurin on a game-winning five-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds. Mariota also saw time in Week 7 against the Panthers when Daniels left early with a rib injury. He was sharp in that game as well going 18-for-23 with 205 yards and two scores.

Tuesday, August 27, 8:02 PM

The Seattle Seahawks waived wide receiver Dee Eskridge and released PJ Walker, linebacker Blake Lynch, cornerback Artie Burns and safety Marquise Blair on Tuesday. Injuries limited Eskridge to 24 games (zero starts) in his three seasons with Seattle after they took him in the second round (56th overall) out of Western Michigan. In those 24 games with the Seahawks, he had just 17 receptions (34 targets) for 122 yards and one touchdown. If the 27-year-old pass-catcher clears waivers, he could rejoin the team on their practice squad. Walker will hit the open market, which isn't surprising after the team added Sam Howell as the backup to starter Geno Smith this offseason. The 29-year-old appeared in six games (two starts) with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and completed a career-low 48.6% of his passes for 674 yards, one TD and five interceptions.