Atlanta Falcons expected to chase quarterback Marcus Mariota

The Atlanta Falcons appear to be committing to a full rebuild after trading Matt Ryan to the Colts. Atlanta traded Ryan for the Colt’s second-best third-round pick, a steal for the Colts, and a very questionable decision considering the cost of a quarterback in the current NFL trade market.

Regardless, Ryan is gone and now Atlanta is left without an answer at the position. Though there are rumors swirling that a certain former quarterback that worked with head coach Arthur Smith could be headed to Atlanta.

Mariota lost his job with the Titans to Ryan Tannehill and has been Derek Carr’s backup with the Raiders since leaving the Titans. Mariota is a great scrambler an understandable trait to look for when you have the offensive line Atlanta does currently. Marcus has never been a great passer passing for 3,426-yards and throwing 26-touchdowns in his best season in 2016 struggling to get back close to those numbers since.

Perhaps Mariota has developed as a passer during his time on the bench but it is still a questionable decision at best. Signing Mariota should be an option only if Atlanta is going to draft a quarterback or bring in another veteran to compete for the starting job. A full season of Marcus Mariota will leave Atlanta fans missing Matt Ryan and realizing just how underappreciated the veteran was during his time in Atlanta.

Mariota could work in Atlanta for a short time if the Falcons bring in a myriad of options at receiver and are willing to show patience with the veteran. He isn’t a long-term option and Atlanta and its fan have to understand he will be brought into a losing environment and set up for failure.

If Mariota is brought to Atlanta fans must remember this and adjust expectations accordingly. No doubt an uneven off-season from the Falcons will continue and bringing in Mariota would certainly be on-brand for Atlanta.