5 Atlanta Falcons players who likely played their final game with the team

3. Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota is arguably the most obvious cap casualty of the offseason with the Atlanta Falcons opening up over $10-million in cap space. Mariota makes zero sense for the Atlanta Falcons considering they will either move forward with Desmond Ridder at the position or want to make a splashy move.

While Ridder seems to be the plan moving forward the team seemed to be embracing Matt Ryan last off-season before an ill-advised attempt to trade for Deshaun Watson ended with the team settling for Mariota. This front office is far from transparent and what the quarterback position will look like next season is a huge question mark.

What isn’t, however, is the fact that Marcus Mariota’s time in Atlanta is over. Arthur Smith so badly wanted the second time around with the veteran to work. While Mariota had a few great moments it was a consistent trainwreck for the talented quarterback who is obviously best suited for a backup role at this point in his career.  Even bringing back Mariota on a cheaper deal as a backup wouldn’t fit considering Mariota left the team at the end of the season and isn’t the best mentor for Ridder. Atlanta will either bring in a star or a veteran who is willing to help Ridder either way Mariota’s time with Atlanta is thankfully over.