Marcus Mariota was on hand for the annual Maxwell Football Club awards ceremony in Atlantic City Friday, where he was given the Maxwell Award as college football's player of the year.
And with the NFL draft about six weeks down the road, the Oregon quarterback gave one team about two hours up the Jersey Turnpike some food for thought
"I'd love to play for the Jets," said Mariota, according to the Asbury Park Press.
"Meeting with the offensive coordinator [Chan Gailey] and the quarterbacks coach [Kevin Patullo] was awesome,'' he said. "It was an opportunity for me to introduce myself, and it seems like a great organization."
The Heisman Trophy winner has been linked to the Jets, the quarterback-confused team that holds the No. 6 pick in the draft.
But there's also been some speculation that another team one hour west on the Atlantic City Turnpike is giving the quarterback some serious consideration.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly — once Mariota's college head coach — is reportedly willing to move up from the 20th spot to select the former Duck.
"I wouldn't doubt it," Mariota said of Kelly potentially pulling off a blockbuster trade to get him. "But coach Kelly and the Eagles are going to do what's best for that team, and we'll see what happens."
Mariota said he had an informal breakfast meeting with the Eagles' quarterbacks coach on Thursday. He also said "everybody" jokes with him about the Eagles moving up to get him.
"I'm not sure what coach Kelly wants to do, and I haven't talked to him about it," Mariota said. "He's been more of a mentor for me when I needed someone, or if I needed to talk to him about anything, he's been there for me."
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