The Atlanta Falcons didn’t wait long to find their next starting quarterback as they signed Marcus Mariota to a two-year deal on Monday.
This came just hours after the team decided to deal long-time starting quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts after 14 years with Atlanta.
For Mariota, it’s an opportunity to regain his footing as a starting quarterback in the NFL. After the second-overall pick of the 2015 draft fizzled out with the Tennessee Titans and was ultimately replaced by Ryan Tannehill, the 28-year-old spent the last two seasons backing up Derek Carr with the Las Vegas Raiders.
As a starter, his numbers are less than inspiring — although they came on a rebuilding Titans team that did not hit its stride until his final year under center in 2019. He went 29-32 as a starter while completing 62.9% of his passes with 17-game averages of 3,564 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
For more NFL news like this Marcus Mariota article, visit TailgateSports.com
But Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has maintained his affection for Mariota since the two worked together in Tennessee — the former as an assistant coach where he was in close contact with the passer — and now is giving him an opportunity to work his way back toward regular playing time.
Mariota will also renew his rivalry with Jameis Winston, who was signed to a two-year deal by Atlanta’ NFC South rivals, the New Orleans Saints, earlier on Monday.
Winston was taken one pick before Mariota, No. 1 overall, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seven years ago. This after Mariota’s Oregon Ducks defeated Winston’s Florida State 59-20 in the Rose Bowl to punch their ticket to the 2015 National Championship Game.
