The Atlanta Falcons found their quarterback replacement for Matt Ryan. On Monday, the Falcons signed Marcus Mariota of Honolulu, Hawaii to a two-year contract worth $18.75 million according to Alex Chippin of The Score.
Atlanta becomes the third team Mariota has played for. He previously played five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, and the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. An opening in Atlanta was available when the Falcons traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts for a third round draft pick earlier on Monday.
Last season in Vegas while backing up Derek Carr, Mariota only had one completion for four yards. The completion came in the Raiders’ 35-32 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in one of the best National Football League games in the 2022 regular season. Mariota also had 13 rushes for 87 yards and another major score. The rushing touchdown run came in a 36-33 Raiders win over the Dallas Cowboys on American Thanksgiving.
In addition to Mariota, two other quarterbacks have switched NFL teams. The Cleveland Browns signed Jacoby Brissett and traded Case Keenum to the Buffalo Bills. Brissett is to backup DeShaun Watson, who was traded to the Cleveland Browns from the Houston Texans last week. However, there is a strong possibility that Brissett could see significant playing time in Cleveland if Watson continues to have legal trouble from the sexual assault allegations. Last season in Miami, Brissett completed 141 passes for 1283 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Keenum meanwhile will be the backup in Buffalo to Josh Allen. Last season in Cleveland, Keenum completed 47 of 72 passes for 462 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Keenum and Brissett have played with multiple NFL teams. In addition to the Dolphins, Brissett has played for the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. In addition to the Browns, Keenum has played for the Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Washington.
