Atlanta Falcons release quarterback Marcus Mariota

The Atlanta Falcons have released Marcus Mariota, according to Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein.

Mariota started for the Falcons in 2022 until he was benched for rookie Desmond Ridder with four games left in the season.

The team went 5-8 in Mariota’s starts and had a tough time establishing its passing game which features the team’s last two first-round picks, tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London.

The 29-year-old Mariota signed with the Falcons as a free agent last offseason and was unlikely to factor into the Falcons’ long-term plans at the QB position. Releasing Mariota saves the Falcons about $12 million towards the NFL salary cap.

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Atlanta holds the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and could look to add another young quarterback to its roster to pair with Ridder.

In an interview at The NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot kept the door open to selecting another rookie quarterback this season.

Channel 2 Action News will be at the NFL Combine all week, reporting on the latest Falcons news.

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If the Falcons opt against selecting another young quarterback in the draft, they could look to hit the free-agent market for the second year in a row to find a veteran quarterback.

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