Falcons name Marcus Mariota starter ahead of training camp

Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London declared Wednesday that the starting quarterback job will start the season in the hands of former Oregon Duck Marcus Mariota. It’s a brand new opportunity for the NFL vet. Mariota hasn’t started a game since 2019 when he was still with the Tennessee Titans.

After trading Matt Ryan, the Falcons added Mariota and drafted former Cincinnati star Desmond Ridder. Although Ridder is most likely the future of the organization, that future won’t start this fall.

“Obviously, we’ve got a plan for each of them. Marcus is the starter,” London said, via Josh Kendall of The Athletic. “That’s how we’re going into this thing.”

Mariota is taking all the first-team snaps as training camp starts. The Falcons clearly feel it’s worth it put the ball in the seven-year veteran’s hands over their rookie’s – for now.

“I expect those guys to compete,” London added. “Right now, Marcus is the starter, and he’s doing a great job.”

Mariota feeling comfortable in Atlanta

In response to the news, the former Raiders quarterback says his comfortability with head coach Arthur Smith has him feeling confident.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to prove to myself,” Mariota said. “I feel very comfortable. Being around Art for all that time in Tennessee, I think that’s where it comes from. For the most part, I feel really comfortable and confident.”

Considering Smith once benched him with the Titans, there’s little question that he would do it again if it becomes necessary in 2022. Marcus Mariota has just 18 completions in 30 pass attempts over the past two years from his time with the Raiders.

The former Ducks star is on a two-year, $18.75 million contract with the Falcons. Despite low expectations, the job presents an opportunity to play with one of the league’s young stars in Kyle Pitts. Pitts led the Falcons in targets (110), receptions (68) and receiving yards (1,026) in 2021.