Getty Image / Steph Chambers
The Atlanta Falcons announced the release of veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota. This move saves Atlanta $12 million in cap space and brings the team’s total cap space room to about $65 million which is the second-most in the NFL.
Having that much cap space is HUGE for a team in rebuilding mode even if the decision to go with rookie Desmond Ridder seems risky. This move seemed inevitable since Mariota ‘quit’ on the Falcons months ago.
We have released QB Marcus Mariota
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) February 28, 2023
An interesting aspect in this release is Marcus Mariota is one of three stars set to appear in Quaterback on Netflix. It is a documentary in the style of Full Swing and Drive to Survive and it will follow Super Bowl champ Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota:
Launching in summer 2023, the series will allow fans to see through the lens of quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota, who, for the first time ever, are mic’d up for every single game. From the beginning of the 2022 season to its conclusion, the cameras will follow the starting QBs from inside the huddle with their teammates to inside their homes with their families.
If things were going great the Atlanta Falcons wouldn’t have dropped Marcus Mariota. His contributions on the field would have outweighed the benefit of gaining cap space.
When Quarterback was announced, there was a lot of chatter on Twitter from fans asking ‘why’ Mariota was included. If anything, Mariota getting released by the Falcons makes his plotline more interesting.
Meanwhile, Falcons fans are just now absorbing the Mariota news on Twitter. Many DESPERATELY want the team to sign Lamar Jackson…
Damn, I remember when people wanted to trade 4 first rounders, 3 second rounders, and Fletcher Cox or Brandon Graham to move up to draft him under Chip Kelly
Super glad that never happened
— AirbrushedVan.TTV (@AceRapscallion) February 28, 2023
That’s assuming he’d go for something like that:
Wouldn't be a bad option as a back-up to Kenny Pickett…
— Jordan York🎙 (@JordanYorkMusic) February 28, 2023
Lamar Jackson to Atlanta after Falcons release Marcus Mariota?! Unlikely…
Let’s go get Lamar Jackson
— NotMattyIce (@NotMattyIce02) February 28, 2023
https://twitter.com/HimHarbaugh69/status/1630594682773446657
So Marcus Mariota being released surely means that Lamar Jackson will be a Dirty Bird right? #RYSMVSU
— P. Against The World🤘🏿🕊 (@chillin662) February 28, 2023
Am I delusional for thinking this will never happen or have Falcons fans actually lost it?
This Lamar Jackson to ATL hype is starting to look like a fact with Mariota being cut and the comments from Arthur Smith but then again who knows.
— Kreator Kelz (@KreatedByKelz) February 28, 2023
Lamar Jackson to Atlanta confirmed
— New Beginnings (@PCB_RIP_ST21) February 28, 2023
Yes, on behalf of NFL fans everywhere, please commit everything to Ridder:
Now sign Ridder to a 10 year 500 mil all guaranteed max or we riot
— AhLottaAntwan 🐶 (@AhLottaAntwan) February 28, 2023
Marcus Mariota has already earned $64,541,683 in 8 seasons playing in the NFL. It remains to be seen what is next for Mariota.