Eagles’ Mariota: ‘I was sloppy’

This offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Marcus Mariota to a one-year deal to be the backup to Jalen Hurts.

In 2022, the 29-year-old started 13 games with the Atlanta Falcons before losing his job late in the season. Some believe Mariota is an upgrade over Philly’s backup from last season, Gardner Minshew.

However, there must be some concerns after his performance against the Browns on Thursday night, where the game ended in an 18-18 tie.

Mariota, who led the Eagles on one scoring drive after playing the entire first half, completed only nine of 17 passes for 86 yards, including a bad interception. The nine-year veteran was off and was not very accurate.

After the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni discussed Mariota’s performance.

“I know he didn’t play the way he wanted to tonight,” Sirianni said. “I wouldn’t say he struggled the last game. You guys might have said that. I didn’t say that. He ran around and made some good plays and moved the ball really well with him in there against Baltimore.

“So tonight, yeah, obviously not up to his standard, but it’s about us finding what works for him. And that’s just us learning him. That’s us working together to figure that out.”

Mariota was not happy with his performance, but he thinks there is time to fix things.

“I was sloppy,” Mariota said. “I can do a better job of getting our guys operating cleaner and more efficiently. But that is what preseason is for. Kind of get some of that stuff ironed out. Clean off some of the rust. We’ll find ways to get better.”

When asked if Tanner McKee, who played well and completed 10 of 18 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland, has a chance to unseat Mariota, Sirianni said the following.

“Way too early on this,” he said. “Marcus is our backup and pleased with the way Tanner is playing.”

Hurts has started the last two seasons. In his first year as a starter, he missed one game due to an ankle injury, and last season he missed two games due to a shoulder injury, so there could be a game or two where Mariota may have to play.

Based on how he’s performed, would you trust him? That’s the question the Eagles will have to ask themselves today and going forward.