Marcus Mariota: ‘Ready to go’ as the Falcons’ next starter behind center
Marcus Mariota, who was a backup behind Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr over the last two seasons, signed with the Atlanta Falcons on a two-year deal after the franchise traded away its best-ever quarterback in Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.
Mariota had not started a game since 2019, when he was still with the Tennessee Titans. He was 2-4 as a starter that season and got benched for Ryan Tannehill after completing 7-of-18 passes for 63 yards and two interceptions in a Week 6 loss (16-0) to the Denver Broncos.
He did not start again for the rest of the year — and the rest is essentially history.
Now, the former No. 2 overall pick enters training camp as the Falcons’ presumptive starter — with Arthur Smith, the team’s offensive coordinator during his final season in Tennessee, at head coach — and rookie Desmond Ridder behind him. At least that’s what Falcons quarterback coach Charles London said after the first day of training camp last week, via The Athletic.
“I expect those guys to compete,” London said. “Right now, Marcus is the starter, and he’s doing a great job.”
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Here is what Mariota said this week about his eagerness to start.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to prove, not only to myself but to those who have believed in me,” Mariota said. “So, I’m excited. The last couple of years was a great reset. I learned a lot from Derek. I learned a lot from being there. I feel ready to go.”
Quote via ESPN
Mariota admittedly didn’t get much of an opportunity behind Carr, which makes sense from the Raiders’ perspective. He only played in 11 games (without a start) and attempted 30 passes (18 completed) for 230 yards and one touchdown and interception apiece.
In five seasons with the Titans, the 28-year-old quarterback completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 13,207 yards, 76 touchdowns and 44 interceptions, going 29-32 as a starter. Mariota’s best season came in his second year as a starter in 2016, going 276-451 (61.2) for 3,246 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine inteceptions, posting career-bests in passer rating (95.6), QBR (59.1), yards, touchdowns and interceptions.
In 2017, Mariota led his team to the playoffs after they went 9-6; He completed 41-of-68 (60.3 percent) for 459 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in two games, including racing his team back from a 21-3 deficit to beat the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the Wild Card round, 22-21.
“Certainly his experiences brought him to this place,” Smith added. “And he’s in a good rhythm. He’s in a good flow out there.”
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Now it’s time for the signal caller to put the extra tips and tricks provided by Carr and other past teammates into fruition for the upcoming season, when Atlanta is expected to have minimal expectations.
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