Marcus Mariota on playing for the Commanders: “It’s the best place to work”

The Washington Commanders are rolling now. On Sunday, the Commanders defeated the Carolina Panthers 40-7 in a game in which rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was injured in the first quarter and did not return.

No problem, says experienced backup player Marcus Mariota.

Daniels injured his rib on Washington's first possession. While his mother later tweeted that he was fine, the Commanders wisely kept Daniels out of the game and let 10-year veteran Mariota lead the offense.

How did Mariota react?

Mariota completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 34 yards and led the Commanders to scores on all but one possession – his first.

After the game, Mariota spoke with CBS' Evan Washburn.

“First and foremost, just him,” Mariota said of Jayden Daniels and what he was thinking when he first came into the game. “He is an incredible boy. It’s all about the player and the person, and then it’s just football.”

How was Mariota so effective?

“These guys are unbelievable,” Mariota said of his teammates. We have a great group of people who just believe in each other. They took it game after game and I just did my best to give them a chance.”

Mariota then had high praise for the Commanders and the culture that owner Josh Harris, GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn are building.

“It’s brotherhood. We talk about it all the time. Honestly, it's the best place to work. I enjoy being with these people. It's a lot of fun, and when you have a brotherhood like that, you find ways to win.”

The Washington Commanders: The best place to work? That's good news for the NFLPA grades coming later this year. Remember what Harris said? “I'm not an F-minus guy.” No, he's not, and neither are the commanders anymore.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Marcus Mariota on playing for the Commanders: “It's the best place to work”