4 Atlanta Falcons moves to open up $18 million in cap space
By Nick Halden
1. Marcus Mariota
Cutting Mariota saves Atlanta $12 million in cap space and allows the veteran to find another landing spot early on this off-season. There is zero chance the Falcons are bringing Mariota back after the way played as a starter and how he handled getting benched in the final four games of the season.
Mariota stepped away from the team after being benched and didn’t return focusing on spending time with his family. This is completely understandable from Mariota’s perspective, however, as a leader, you cannot leave the team when getting benched and fail to help Desmond Ridder and be brought back as the backup.
Apart from the obvious issues Atlanta has with Mariota, there is also the fact you cannot have a backup quarterback inside your top ten cap hits if that player cannot even pass the ball consistently.
The Falcons should be willing to spend at the position for a top option but Mariota clearly isn’t that and it is time for both sides to move on after a failed reunion in Atlanta.