Marcus Mariota, of the Washington Commanders, is set to become the first ever QB to wear No. 0 since the league allowed players to don the smallest one-digit number last season.
Around the NFL writer Nick Shook broke the news on Wednesday, as he pointed out that ‘such a decision was largely impossible until only recently, when the NFL relaxed its jersey numbering rules and opened the possibility for nearly every player on both sides of the ball to wear single digits.’
More than 20 players chose to wear No. 0 in 2023, including then-Eagles running back D’Andre Swift, as well as respective Rams and Ravens linebackers, Byron Young, and Roquan Smith.
Before switching jersey numbers, Mariota wore No. 8 at Oregon and continued to do so with the Titans (2015-19), the team that drafted him as a second overall pick, and the Raiders (2020-21).
He switched to No. 1 in Atlanta, but didn’t have either option available in Washington, as receiver Jahan Dotson dons No. 1, and running back Brian Robinson flocks No. 8 on the front and back of his jersey.
Marcus Mariota will become the first QB to wear No. since the digit was introduced last season
Mariota will don No. 0 for Washington after more than 20 players chose to wear the digit in ’23
NFL fans on X were quick to react to Mariota’s jersey number swap on Wednesday once it had been confirmed by the league.
‘Also happens to be their playoffs chances, weird coincidence,’ one person shared, referring to the Commanders.
‘So brave…’ another sarcastically wrote.
‘Wow that’s a interesting choice, I’m kinda excited to see him on the Commanders,’ a user said about Mariota, 30.
‘Zero to hero?’ another asked.
After signing a one-year contract on March 14, Mariota said he’s prepared to play if called upon while also serving as a mentor to the young quarterback who could be coming with the second pick in this year’s draft.
‘Whatever this staff, whatever this team needs of me, I’m going to do it to the best of my abilities,’ Mariota said on a video call with reporters.
‘I’ve dealt with a lot of different things throughout my career. I’ve been a starter, won a playoff game. I’ve also been cut, I’ve also been injured, I’ve also been benched. So, I think all those experiences create value and also creates opportunities for me to build relationships with guys.’
One of those guys could be a rookie at football’s most important position. Washington is in place to select LSU’s Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, or North Carolina’s Drake Maye if Chicago selects USC’s Caleb Williams first, as expected.