Atlanta Falcons release QB Marcus Mariota, save $12 million against salary cap

The Atlanta Falcons have released quarterback Marcus Mariota, per Adam Schefter.

The move is going to save Atlanta $12 million against the salary cap. It also signals that the Falcons will continue to pursue new options at the quarterback position.

2022 was Marcus Mariota’s only season in Atlanta. He had originally signed a two-year contract with Atlanta and won the starting job in a competition against rookie Desmond Ridder. However, he was eventually benched for Ridder.

Prior to his season in Atlanta, he spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Tennessee Titans. It was the Titans who drafted Mariota number two overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately for Marcus Mariota, his NFL career has never matched his college career, where he won the Heisman Trophy among numerous others during his career at Oregon.

Now, Mariota must find his fourth NFL team.