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Former Oregon QB Marcus Mariota joins the Commanders ready to play or mentor younger player

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Former Oregon QB Marcus Mariota joins the Commanders ready to play or mentor younger player


Marcus Mariota’s hair is grayer now than when he entered the NFL as a highly touted prospect and a potential face of a franchise.

He believes everything he has gone through since has set him up to be ready for anything in his next opportunity with the Washington Commanders.

After signing a one-year contract Thursday, 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 the draft.

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“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.

It doesn’t hurt that Mariota was the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft out of Oregon to the Tennessee Titans. Now 30 and with 90 games and 74 pro starts under his belt, he remembers what that was like and could be the perfect person to provide some perspective.

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“That expectation for you to be the quote-unquote ‘savior’ and all that is a lot,” Mariota said. “If that’s the way we go, I can provide a little bit of comfort knowing that: Just be your best version of yourself, don’t worry about everything else, don’t worry about the expectations, just go out there and try to get better every single day and the rest of it will fall into place.”

Hours after Mariota signed his contract, with a base salary of $6 million that could be worth up to $10 million, the Commanders traded 2023 starter Sam Howell to Seattle in a swap of draft picks. It’s the latest in new general manager Adam Peters’ flurry of moves to turn over the roster that may have only a dozen or so returnees next season.

New linebacker Frankie Luvu, one of many free agent signings, said he’s blessed to now be teammates with Mariota after playing against him for several years.

“Just excited to be on the same side as him,” Luvu said. “I’ve seen him grow a lot. … Just the amount he’s grown and the leadership he’s taken — guys listen to him when he steps in the room and taking control when time is on the clock.”

Mariota said he was willing to “wait and see” about possibly being the starter, which could easily be a placeholder job from Week 1 until a young QB is ready. On his fifth stop after Tennessee, Las Vegas, Atlanta and most recently Philadelphia as Jalen Hurts’ backup, he sounds at peace with whatever his role may be.

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“For all of us that are in kind of this position, you always want to be a starter,” Mariota said. “You always want to be a guy that’s leading a franchise out there. That’s why you play. That’s why you do it. But I’ll never let my own ego get in the way of what’s most important for the team.”

NOTES: The Commanders resigned defensive end Efe Obada, making him the third player back from the previous regime along with safety and 2022 All-Pro special teams player Jeremy Reaves and punt returner Jamison Crowder. … The team also added free agent linebacker Anthony Pittman.



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Oregon gas tax and fee hikes delayed pending November vote

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Oregon gas tax and fee hikes delayed pending November vote


Planned increases to Oregon’s gas tax, DMV fees, and payroll tax are on hold after a petition garnered enough signatures to challenge parts of a recent transportation funding bill.

The Oregon Secretary of State’s office confirmed that the petition, led by the group No Tax Oregon, will place the issue on the November ballot.

The group, spearheaded by Republican legislators Sen. Bruce Starr and Rep. Ed Diehl, launched the campaign following Gov. Tina Kotek’s approval of the bill last November.

On Dec. 12, No Tax Oregon submitted over 190,000 signatures to the Secretary of State.

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The delay raises questions about the impact on the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and transportation funding.

On this week’s segment of Your Voice, Your Vote, KATU’s Angelica Thornton interviewed Rep. Ed Diehl and Rep. Susan McLain, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, to discuss the implications of the referendum.

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Watch the full Your Voice, Your Vote segment below or on KATU’s YouTube channel:

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J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning

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J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning


J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Oregon Ducks’ 23-0 Orange Bowl win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders was the eventual planted seed for the soon-to-be Peach Bowl next Friday, as they will rematch the Indiana Hoosiers for a chance to go to the national title game in Miami.

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Despite losing to the Hoosiers during the regular season, the Ducks’ resilience has shone through since, making On3’s J.D. PicKell cautiously optimistic the Ducks could turn the tables on the No. 1-seeded Hoosiers.

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“That might be the greatest gift this football team could have had, in the context of this season,” PicKell said. “That loss, I think, was a big reason why you’ve seen Oregon grow and progress the way they have in this College Football Playoff.”

PicKell said Oregon’s ability to “grow” has been apparent this postseason so far.

“Very different from last year’s team, when it comes to the way they’re evolving, the kind of ball they’re playing right now in the second round of the College Football Playoff,” PicKell said. “I think a lot of Oregon’s growth, you’ve got to give credit to some of the scars they have over the course of this season.”

We’ll see if PicKell’s words hold true, but it seems the Ducks have a shot to make the postseason even more interesting.

Come next Friday, we’ll find out.

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Oregon Lottery Pick 4 results for Dec. 28

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The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

1PM: 0-2-6-1

4PM: 0-2-4-1

7PM: 4-3-9-2

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10PM: 6-3-9-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
  • Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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