3 Atlanta Falcons who must be roster cuts this off-season
By Nick Halden
1. Marcus Mariota
Cutting Marcus Mariota saves the Atlanta Falcons $12-million against the cap and has an argument as the most obvious off-season cut in the league. Bringing Marcus back after cutting the veteran on a cheaper deal would make a level of sense if not for how the season ended with Mariota leaving the team.
Atlanta needs a veteran who can come in and push Desmond Ridder in camp and throughout the season. A player that fans won’t call for but one more than capable of pushing the young quarterback and being a resource on the sideline.
Mariota isn’t a starter for this team and isn’t an option as a backup. Keeping him on this roster doesn’t make sense even with a new contract. Mariota’s time with Atlanta will be remembered with the frustration that Marcus brought with consistent missed throws and turnovers that changed games.
Cutting Mariota opens up the ability for Atlanta to sign another impact player this off-season and pushes their cap space well past $60-million trailing only the Chicago Bears in off-season cap space.