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Falcons release Marcus Mariota
The Atlanta Falcons announced Tuesday they released quarterback Marcus Mariota, a move that will save them $ 12 million on the salary cap and signal a new day at the position.
The Falcons hold the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, where quarterbacks like Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C. J. Stroud likely will be the first off the board. Others like Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis are also considered top quarterback prospects.
The Falcons also have 2022 thirdround pick Desmond Ridder on the roster. He was was 2- 2 as Atlanta’s starter with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 49.6 quarterback rating in the final four games last season.
“We’re always going to leave every door open,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday.
“So, draft, free agency, whether it’s the No. 8 pick in the draft or whether it’s at some other point in the draft, we could definitely bring in another quarterback.”
According to overthecap. com, Atlanta has more than $ 66 million in cap space this offseason.
Bills defensive coordinator to take year off from coaching
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is stepping away from coaching for the 2023 season, the team announced in a news release Tuesday.
The Bills did not specify Frazier’s reasoning for stepping away but stated that he planned to return to coaching in 2024.
“Leslie reached out ( last week) and just talked through some things,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine. “Ultimately, he doesn’t want to retire. He’s not there in his mind. But he just wanted to take a step back.”
Beane said the team is “still working through” the process of determining who will replace Frazier as defensive coordinator but left open the possibility that head coach Sean McDermott, who previously worked as a defensive coordinator, could call plays.
The Bills also announced Tuesday that they had hired Al Holcomb as a senior defensive assistant. Holcomb was promoted to defensive coordinator in Carolina last year following Steve Wilks’ appointment as interim head coach. He also worked as Wilks’ defensive coordinator in Arizona in 2018.
“We feel we’ve got some really good minds in that room,” Beane said.
Frazier, 63, is perhaps best known for his three seasons as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He has been with the Bills since 2017, leading a defense that has become one of the most consistent and productive units in the NFL.
Buffalo’s success under Frazier has made him a popular head coaching candidate in recent years. According to USA TODAY Sports research, he interviewed for four head coaching vacancies in 2021 and 2022. He did not get an interview this year.
When asked if he anticipates that Frazier’s return in 2024 will be with the Bills, Beane replied, “I don’t know that yet.”
“( We’ll) cross that in 2024,” he said.
Giants to release Kenny Golladay
The New York Giants are set to release wide receiver Kenny Golladay, reports ESPN. com.
Golladay’s release will happen at the beginning of the league year on March 15 at 4 p. m. ET, ESPN said.
The Giants will add $ 6.7 million in cap space and nearly $ 15 million in dead money on the salary cap, according to overthecap. com.
The 29- year Golladay spent the first four years of his career with the Detroit Lions. Despite playing five games due to injuries in 2020, he parlayed a Pro Bowl season in 2019, when he caught 65 passes for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns, into a four- year, $ 72 million deal he signed in 2021 under former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman.
Golladay’s two seasons in New York were largely disappointing. His 2021 campaign ended with 37 catches for 521 yards and no touchdowns, and he appeared in 12 games last season, catching six passes and 81 yards, being inactive for the other five games.