Mariota was up and down as a starter last year in Atlanta but got a long leash from coach Arthur Smith before he was benched after 13 games, leaving the club and ultimately undergoing a knee procedure.
The former first-round pick — for whom former Eagles coach Chip Kelly unsuccessfully tried to trade up to draft in 2015 — entered the NFL with hype but struggled to stay healthy and be a consistent thrower.
After five years in Tennessee, he spent two seasons in Las Vegas backing up Derek Carr, so he’s not unfamiliar with the job of a designated backup who won’t have a chance to compete for snaps. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman noted earlier this offseason that Mariota’s dual-threat ability makes him an excellent complement to keep the offense running if Hurts “caught a cold or something, and he had to play.”
At this stage of his career, Mariota prioritized landing with a team that has a chance to make a deep postseason run.
“To be part of a team that was a play away from winning the Super Bowl was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” he said. “I’m very excited to be in this quarterback room. I think it’s important that you have a strong quarterback room. Like I said, I’m going to do whatever I can to help (Hurts) out.”
Mariota’s skill set meshes better with how the Eagles offense is set up than Gardner Minshew’s last season. So if Hurts misses a game, less of the plan would have to be altered. At this point, however, Mariota has shown he’s a spot starter who can run an offense in a pinch rather than a franchise QB.