Two AFC teams that appeared to be on opposite trajectories two months into the 2025 season now find themselves confronting the same problem. The Kansas City Chiefs, league juggernauts over the past decade, ended up missing the playoffs this year, for the first time since the Eisenhower administration.
The Indianapolis Colts also missed out, despite seeming like a lock about five minutes ago. Neither team can completely blame their failure on quarterback injuries, but the fact remains that both did suffer the loss of their starter. Season-ending injuries to starting quarterbacks are always disastrous, but these particular injuries and their timing make both especially difficult for the Colts and Chiefs.
Jones tore his Achilles and Mahome tore his ACL. Traditionally, those injuries require approximately a year to recover. Even after the player is cleared to return to action, it often takes more time for him to regain his previous form. Therefore, these injuries can often affect a player for the better part of two seasons.
The Indianapolis Colts' secret weapon in pursuit of Daniel Jones' fill-in
Advances in medical science have shortened recovery time in some cases. It is possible that both quarterbacks could be back on the field at some point in 2026. But what should Indianapolis and Kansas City do in the interim?
Matthew Davis of Heavy.com recently suggested that Marcus Mariota, currently the backup to Jayden Daniels with the Washington Commanders, would be an ideal fit in Kansas City.
That may be true. But he would be an even better fit in Indianapolis.
As backup quarterbacks go, Mariota is about as good as it gets. He is a veteran with a wealth of experience. But he is still young and athletic enough to operate offenses that require a quarterback to move.
In other words, unlike what the Colts had in the immobile, 44-year-old Philip Rivers, Mariota would be able to run the same offense as Daniel Jones. That is essentially what he did this season in Washington in relief of the injured Daniels.
Mariota never developed into the consistently dynamic playmaker Tennessee thought they were getting when they selected him with the second pick in the 2015 draft. Now 32, he is not going to suddenly take a leap forward.
But he has always had the talent to make necessary throws, and he is still a decent runner. He is a steadying presence now – maybe the dreaded “game manager” – but one with slightly more juice than a standard placeholder.
That is likely all he would be regardless of where he goes next season. If Mariota had wanted to explore more long-term starting opportunities, he would have done so last season. Instead, he chose to remain in Washington, where he would obviously be behind Daniels on the depth chart.
2026 is going to provide some unique opportunities. The Chiefs clearly have fallen off from where they were a few years ago, but they still have Andy Reid. What quarterback would not want to play for the future Hall of Famer?
But the Colts may have a secret weapon if it comes down to a battle between two similar situations. Assuming the present coaching staff remains intact, passing game coordinator Alex Tanney and Mariota have a track record together.
Tanney was a backup QB with the Titans when Mariota arrived. Mariota has credited Tanney with helping him adjust to life in the NFL. After his playing days were done (Tanney had one brief moment, against the Colts no less, at the end of the 2015 season, when he almost led a second half comeback for the Titans), he moved into coaching.
Tanney was serving as quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles when Mariota joined them in 2023. At the time, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner offered his thoughts on his former teammate. In a story on NBCsportsphiladelphia.com, Mariota said he always saw coaching in Tanney’s future. “He’s just got a natural touch of someone who can understand the game and explain it very easily.”
A couple of years ago, this decision would have been a no-brainer. Kansas City was a better team across the board. But next year? Shane Steichen may not be Andy Reid, but he is no slouch as a designer of offenses.
The Colts have a better offensive line and a much better running back. If Alec Pierce is re-signed, they have better receivers, and with Travis Kelce’s possible retirement, Indy will almost certainly have a better tight end.
And they have Alex Tanney, which could be enough to influence Mariota all by itself.