While Jalen Hurts obviously has a grasp on the starting quarterback job for the Philadelphia Eagles, the backup spot has been one to watch so far in the preseason for Eagles fans.
When the team signed Marcus Mariota in the offseason, it was assumed the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner would easily win the job, as he had been starting in Atlanta for most of last season, and the other quarterback is 2023 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee.
While Mariota may still have the edge, it’s not as sure as it once was, as he struggled in Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns, going 9-for-17 for 86 yards, and getting sacked three times.
Mariota also had a particularly bad interception in the first quarter when he badly overthrew tight end Grant Calcaterra.
Eagles QB Marcus Mariota is 3-of-9 for 32 yards and an interception vs the Browns.
The interception was a bad miss high. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/f2kihrwJi5
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 18, 2023
This only fueled the fire of the quarterback competition, with some calling for McKee to be the backup going into the season instead of Mariota.
My god, Marcus Mariota.
If Tanner McKee looks good again tonight…
— The Birds Blitz (@TheBirdsBlitz) August 18, 2023
Others used the performance to question if the Atlanta Falcons were actually that bad last year, or if Mariota was the problem.
how did the Falcons start Marcus Mariota last year and stay within 1 score in 15 of 17 games
hilariously bad
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 18, 2023
Mariota was also seen going over some of the night’s throws with Hurts.
Jalen Hurts helping Marcus Mariota go over the video. Marcus has missed some throws pic.twitter.com/xVrwDH2mAQ
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 18, 2023
Others were in disbelief that Mariota, once the most electric and exciting player in college football, and the best quarterback in Oregon history, had turned into something far from that.
I refuse to believe this version of Marcus Mariota is the same guy as Oregon-Mariota.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) August 18, 2023
