The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota after only one season with the team.
The Falcons reportedly save about $12 million in cap space, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Falcons released QB Marcus Mariota. The move saved them $12 million against their salary cap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2023
Mariota, who signed a two-year deal with the Falcons in March 2022 as a free agent to be the starting quarterback. The team had already left veteran QB Matt Ryan behind. However, Mariota’s time in Atlanta was short-lived.
The decision to release Mariota was likely a difficult one for the Falcons organization, as he’s a talented quarterback with a proven track record in the NFL, but he’s been on the decline.
Mariota’s career path
The former Heisman Trophy winner was drafted second overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2015. He was their starter from that year through 2019, leading them to the playoffs in 2017 and winning Pro Bowl honors that same year.
Mariota then left Tennessee to back up Derek Carr with the Los Vegas Raiders. Injuries hampered his time there and he wasn’t a factor. Last offseason, he reunited with his former offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, as he was now the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite his past success, Mariota struggled as the Atlanta Falcons’ starter for the 2022 season. He started 13 games going 5-8 throwing for 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He also had a 61% completion percentage. Mariota was then benched for rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder, who finished the season.
Even with the NFC South being one of the worst divisions in the NFL, chances are the Atlanta Falcons aren’t the favorites to win the division according to Georgia sportsbooks. Teams like the New Orleans Saints now have a more winning roster.
Mariota’s future in the NFL is now uncertain as he will become a free agent once the waivers are cleared. However, there are likely several teams interested in signing the talented quarterback, just maybe not as a starter.
