Smith: New QB Mariota is getting comfortable
The Atlanta Falcons added Marcus Mariota immediately after trading longtime starter Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.
Although the Falcons drafted Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and there’s a good chance he takes over for Mariota, the former Heisman winner and Oregon Ducks star is tabbed as QB1 heading into the season.
A big reason why Mariota signed with Atlanta is because of head coach Arthur Smith. Mariota spent time with Smith while playing for the Tennessee Titans and is familiar with him and his coaching scheme. Smith was on the Titans coaching staff all five years Mariota was in Tennessee.
It’s been a while since Mariota started a game, though. He last started a game midway through the 2019 season before being replaced by Ryan Tannehill.
So, it’s normal if Mariota has a bit of rust he needs to shake off because of the long gap. This week during mandatory minicamp, Smith said he’s gotten comfortable under center for the Falcons.
“Yes, you just watch his play and body language,” Smith said of Mariota on Tuesday. “Especially when you’ve been around a guy for a long time and there’s certain mannerisms. … He does feel comfortable and that’s good especially this time of year as we crank it up and get into the preseason and more competitive practices. Hopefully, that stays the same way.”
Smith was asked if he feels Mariota is in a better place now than where he was in 2019.
“Yeah, hopefully, you never stay the same person — you improve,” Smith said. “I’ve improved as a coach and certainly he’s in a completely different place. He’s got more years and seen it from a different perspective, going out to Vegas and now being back here.”
Mariota spent the last two seasons with the Raiders as a backup to Derek Carr. Earlier this offseason, the veteran called his time in Vegas a “great reset” for his career that he needed.
“Obviously, being out there on the field, being out there and playing is what I want to do. But I kind of needed that in my career,” Mariota said. “Unfortunately with everything that happened in Tennessee, I was a little beat up — both mentally and physically. And to get that reset, to be a part of a great quarterback room in Vegas, really has kind of propelled me to this moment. I’m excited, I’m prepared, I feel great and am looking forward to getting out there in Atlanta.”
Atlanta will be a different situation for Mariota, who has a career record of 29-32. He’s hoping a fresh start will give him the chance to show he can still be a starter in the NFL.