The Washington Commanders didn’t need to look for quarterback depth this week. With veteran Marcus Mariota and rookie Sam Hartman sidelined for Washington’s Week 2 preseason game, the Commanders signed Ashburn, Virginia native Trace McSorley.
After a record-setting career at Briar Woods High School, where he won two state championships, he went on to Penn State, starting for three seasons, and broke several school records.
The Ravens selected McSorley in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft, where he spent three seasons. Since his time with Baltimore ended, McSorley has spent time with the Cardinals, Patriots, Bears and Steelers. It was his time in Arizona where he played for current Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
McSorley was with the Commanders on Thursday for their joint practice with the Dolphins, where he spoke about joining his hometown team.
“It’s exciting, obviously when I was a kid, I grew up going to training camp, practices, and things of that nature, followed the team, so being back in the area, being familiar, a place I used to drive by all the time as a kid and look at in awe,” McSorley said. “So, yesterday me pulling up and walking in for the first time was pretty cool.”
Hear from newly signed #Commanders QB Trace McSorley
The Ashburn native & former @BWHSFootball star talks about joining the hometown team & a wild last 24 hrs
(Plus some News4 archive footage playing @BWHSAthletics: "B Woods for life!")@JPFinlayNBCS@nbcwashington#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/TwUeCmLUwV
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) August 15, 2024
McSorley understands this is an audition and nothing is guaranteed, but he’s determined to make the most of his opportunity, whether it’s in Washington or for one of the NFL’s other 31 teams.
