Ex-falcons QB Mariota signs one-year deal to backup Eagles’ Hurts

The Philadelphia Eagles and former Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota have agreed on a one-year, $5 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the deal, said Mariota’s contract is worth up to $8 million, including incentives.

Mariota, who was released by Atlanta last month, will be the backup for Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.

Former Eagles coach Chip Kelly coached Mariota at Oregon and coveted him in the 2015 draft but couldn’t trade up to get him.

Mariota completed 61.3% of his passes last season for 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 starts for the Falcons. He also had a career-high 438 yards rushing and four TDS.

Mariota is 34-40 as a starter with the Falcons and Titans. He played sparingly behind Derek Carr in two seasons as backup for the Raiders in 2020-21.

JETS: The New York Jets have signed former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year contract. Lazard could rejoin quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said this week that he intends to play for New York this year. The Jets also bolstered their depth on the offensive line by signing former Washington Commanders guard and center Wes Schweitzer.

PATRIOTS: Free-agent long snapper Joe Cardona is returning to the Patriots on a new four-year contract worth $6.3 million. Cardona has been a staple of New England’s special teams since being drafted in the fifth round (166 overall) by the team in 2015.