The Falcons made it apparent that there would be an open competition at the quarterback position after selecting Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder during the 2022 NFL draft. This pick came about one month after the team traded away Matt Ryan and signed Marcus Mariota on the same afternoon.
Mariota may not be considered the long-term answer at QB, but he’s embracing the competition and hopes it will make him both a better player and leader going forward.
“I always view the relationship in the quarterback room as kind of important and special. I always felt that a good quarterback room can allow everybody to be better and everybody to grow,” stated Mariota to Atlanta Falcons team reporters. “So, when we’re out here competing, whether its [Desmond Ridder] or Felipe [Franks], we’re all just trying to make each other better.”
Felipe Franks is the only quarterback on the Falcons roster who has previously taken snaps for the team. Last season, he would come in for Matt Ryan on occasion to give the offense a different look. With Ridder and Mariota in the picture, though, the team doesn’t need Franks’ mobility anymore at the QB spot, so Arthur Smith can go back to trying him at tight end.
As for Mariota, he also has experience working with Smith from their time together in Tennessee. The former No. 2 overall pick said that while the offense was similar to what he ran with the Titans, there are a few new wrinkles added to it.
“It’s nice to have a bit of familiarity with the system. It’s nice to come out here and just be around familiar faces,” says Mariota. “There is some similarities, but there’s also a little bit of differences.Which I think has to happen. I think, over the course of many years [Arthur Smith] learned some things, has gone through different situations, different experiences. So I think being around it now, I like where the system’s at.”
One of those familiar faces is wide receiver Bryan Edwards.
“[Bryan Edwards] is my guy, I love that guy. We developed a relationship in Las Vegas. he came in as a rookie when I first got there So, we were kind of learning the system together. I love his competitiveness, I love his drive, I think he’s a great addition to that room,” stated Mariota about his former and current teammate.
Over the last two seasons with the Raiders, Edwards has totaled 764 yards on 45 receptions with four total scores. Although, the majority of that production came in 2021 when he racked up 571 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Mariota didn’t just praise Edwards, though, he went on to compliment the entire wide receiver room.
“I’m excited. With those guys in there, they make you look good. You don’t always have to be perfect with your throws,” said the Falcons quarterback. “Whether it’s their catch radius, their ability to get in and out of cuts, these guys have really made all of us quarterbacks look good this offseason. So, it’s a fun group to be around. A lot of energy, a lot of juice and I look forward to just continuing to get better.”
