Career Timeline of Marcus Mariota: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Marcus Mariota built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Marcus Mariota is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Washington Commanders in the NFL. He achieved prominence during his college football career at the University of Oregon, where he notably won the Heisman Trophy in 2014. This made him the first player from the school and the first Hawaii-born athlete to receive the prestigious award. His college success led to his professional career in the NFL.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1983: NFL Player Achievement Since 1983

In Week 13 of 2015, Marcus Mariota became the first NFL player since Walter Payton in 1983 to pass for a touchdown, rush for a touchdown, and catch a touchdown pass of at least 40 yards in the same season.

2010: Oregon Football Camp and Scholarship Offer

In the summer of 2010, Marcus Mariota attended an Oregon football camp, leading to Mark Helfrich offering him a scholarship to play for Oregon despite Mariota not having started a varsity game.

2012: Matchup Against Johnny Manziel

During Week 2 of the 2015 season, Marcus Mariota faced 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns.

2012: First Freshman Season Opener Start

In 2012, Marcus Mariota became the first freshman in 22 seasons to start a season opener for the Oregon Ducks.

2012: Pac-12 All-Conference 1st Team Honors

Marcus Mariota earned Pac-12 All-Conference 1st Team honors starting in 2012.

December 30, 2013: Announcement to Return for 2014 Season

On December 30, 2013, Marcus Mariota announced his decision to bypass the NFL Draft and return for the 2014 season.

2013: Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP

In 2013, Marcus Mariota earned the Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP Award after leading the Oregon Ducks to a 35–17 victory over Kansas State.

2013: Pac-12 Record for Passes without Interception

In 2013, Marcus Mariota set a Pac-12 record for attempting 353 passes without an interception, starting from the end of the 2012 season.

December 11, 2014: Awards at College Football Awards Show

On December 11, 2014, Marcus Mariota won the Davey O'Brien Award, the Walter Camp Award, and the Maxwell Award at the annual College Football Awards show in Orlando, Florida.

December 13, 2014: Heisman Trophy Win

On December 13, 2014, Marcus Mariota became the first Oregon Duck and Hawaii-born athlete to win the Heisman Trophy with a significant majority of first-place votes.

2014: Heisman Trophy Favorite

Entering the 2014 season, Marcus Mariota was considered a favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

May 2015: Best-Selling NFL Jersey

In May 2015, Marcus Mariota had the best-selling NFL jersey in the league, surpassing Jameis Winston and Tom Brady. Mariota and the Titans agreed to a contract on July 21. Mariota signed a four-year, $24,213,974 contract with a $15.9 million signing bonus.

2015: NFL Regular Season Debut

In 2015, Marcus Mariota debuted in his first NFL regular-season game, achieving a perfect passer rating of 158.3, throwing four touchdown passes, and earning the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for Week 1.

2015: Rose Bowl and National Championship Appearances

In 2015, Marcus Mariota led the Oregon Ducks to the Rose Bowl, where he was named Offensive MVP in their victory against Florida State. They then lost to Ohio State in the National Championship. Mariota was set to clinch the All-Time lowest interception record, until the final 27 seconds where the last pass of the game was intercepted by cornerback Eli Apple. This was Mariota's final collegiate game before entering the 2015 NFL draft.

2015: NFL Draft Selection

In 2015, Marcus Mariota was selected as the second overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans.

2015: Drafted by the Tennessee Titans

In 2015, Marcus Mariota was selected second overall by the Tennessee Titans in the NFL draft.

2015: Rookie Season and Injury

In Week 15, Marcus Mariota sustained another MCL sprain during a game against the Patriots and missed the remainder of the 2015 season. He played in 12 games in his rookie year.

2016: Career Highs and NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2016, Marcus Mariota concluded the season with a career-high of 3,426 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

2016: Led Titans to Winning Season

In 2016, Marcus Mariota led the Tennessee Titans to a winning season.

2016: AFC Offensive Player of the Week and Month

In Week 10 of the 2016 season, Marcus Mariota earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He was later named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November. However, Mariota fractured his right fibula during Week 16, ending his season prematurely.

September 10, 2017: Mariota Records Rushing Touchdown Against Raiders

On September 10, 2017, in the season opener against the Oakland Raiders, Marcus Mariota recorded a rushing touchdown in the first quarter for the Titans' first points of the 2017 season. He finished the game with 25-of-41 passes for 256 yards, three rushes for 26 yards, and a touchdown.

2017: NFL Top 100 Players Ranking

In 2017, Marcus Mariota was ranked 50th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players.

2018: Third Consecutive Winning Season

In 2018, Marcus Mariota concluded a run of three consecutive winning seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

2019: Replaced as Starting Quarterback

During the 2019 season, after six games, Marcus Mariota was replaced as the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans by Ryan Tannehill.

March 15, 2020: Titans Sign Tannehill, Signaling End of Mariota's Tenure

On March 15, 2020, the Titans signed Tannehill to a long-term extension, signaling the end of Mariota's five-year tenure in Tennessee.

March 16, 2020: Mariota Signs with Las Vegas Raiders

On March 16, 2020, Marcus Mariota signed a two-year, $17.6 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders to serve as Derek Carr's backup.

2020: Signed with the Las Vegas Raiders

In 2020, Marcus Mariota signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he served as a backup quarterback for two seasons.

September 18, 2021: Mariota Placed on Injured Reserve

After being brought in for a designed play during the season-opener against the Baltimore Ravens, on September 18, 2021, Mariota suffered a quad injury and was placed on injured reserve.

March 21, 2022: Mariota Signs with Atlanta Falcons

On March 21, 2022, Marcus Mariota signed a two-year, $18.75 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons after Atlanta traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.

2022: Signed with the Atlanta Falcons

In 2022, Marcus Mariota signed with the Atlanta Falcons and started for most of the season.

March 20, 2023: Mariota Signs with Philadelphia Eagles

On March 20, 2023, Marcus Mariota signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

2023: Backup for the Philadelphia Eagles

In 2023, Marcus Mariota spent the season as a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles.

March 14, 2024: Mariota Signs with Washington Commanders

On March 14, 2024, Marcus Mariota signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders. He initially chose to wear jersey number 0, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to do so, but later switched to number 18 after training camp. The Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels as their starting quarterback.