Former Florida State star Auden Tate signs with new NFL team

Former Cincinnati Bengals and Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Auden Tate has signed with a new NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons. The move was made official on Monday, with Tate signing a one-year contract with the franchise.

Tate has spent the first four years of his career with the Bengals, appearing in 35 games and starting in 12 of them. En route to the Super Bowl last season, Tate caught just three passes on four targets from quarterback Joe Burrow, having 39 yards and a touchdown. The wide receiver’s most productive season came in 2019, starting 10 of the 12 games he played in and having 40 receptions for 575 yards and a touchdown.

Tate suffered has suffered through injuries throughout his entire career, spending most of the 2021 season on Injured Reserve. Dealing with a calf issue, Tate had the opportunity to be on the active roster for the Super Bowl but did not practice in time. He was also placed on the COVID-19 list in late December, missing recovery time and not helping his cause.

During his time at Florida State, Tate had 65 catches for 957 yards and 16 touchdowns over three seasons. In 2017, he led the ACC in receiving touchdowns, having 10 in the final season of head coach Jimbo Fisher. He declared for the NFL draft after his junior season and was drafted in the seventh round.

Auden Tate, Atlanta Falcons to have new quarterback for 2022 season

The Falcons have signed former Oregon Ducks star Marcus Mariota on the same day they traded Matt Ryan to the Colts. After shipping Ryan to Indianapolis, Atlanta announced the deal with Mariota just hours later.

“The Falcons agreed to terms on a two-year contract with Marcus Mariota, the team announced on Monday, bringing in a former No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick and someone with extensive experience as a starter,” wrote the franchise. “Mariota also enters this opportunity with deep knowledge of head coach Arthur Smith’s system. He worked with Smith in Tennessee, when he was Titans quarterback and Smith was a tight ends coach who became offensive coordinator in 2019.”

Moreover, the Falcons mention that Mariota has prior experience with Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith. While Smith helped revive Ryan Tannehill’s career in Tennessee, it was at Mariota’s expense. Still, it’s evident the duo remained close, as Mariota is being linked to his former offensive coordinator.

Since leaving Tennessee when Tannehill became the unquestioned future, Mariota has been the backup to Derek Carr in Oakland. In the meantime, he’s remained on the radar on NFL teams — the intangibles that made him an exciting prospect still there. Now, he could be getting his second chance at starting with the Atlanta Falcons.