Details emerge of Falcons QB Marcus Mariota’s contract

482200104006 TEN at NEP

Marcus Mariota signed with the Falcons the day the Matt Ryan trade to the Colts was announced. Arthur Smith’s familiarity with him certainly had to be a driving force in the signing, which got done almost immediately after the Ryan news broke.

The Falcons have their apparent bridge quarterback. The front office has positioned themselves to draft a quarterback in the next two years with Mariota’s contract. Atlanta signed the former Heisman Trophy winner to a two-year deal, but the contract is essentially a one-year, prove-it deal with the opportunity to return in 2023.

If the Falcons take a quarterback in this year’s draft, Mariota could see a re-worked contract in 2023 to return to the team. Depending on the development of the rookie, Mariota could return as a starter or backup in that sense. If the Falcons hold off on drafting a signal caller until 2023, I’d argue it’s a certainty that Mariota returns to provide veteran leadership to the young rookie.

Either way, this deal is extremely team-friendly and keeps the Falcons flexible under almost any circumstance that could arise.

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