The Atlanta Falcons cut a quarterback
The Atlanta Falcons came into Tuesday morning with the NFL’s second-most cap space for the offseason. The team will add more to their pile after releasing a quarterback. The Falcons can use the extra cash to help either land a top-tier quarterback or bring in pieces for their rebuild.
According to Adam Schefter with ESPN, the Falcons released Marcus Mariota. The Falcons will save $12 million with the move.
Falcons released QB Marcus Mariota. The move saved them $12 million agains their salary cap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2023
According to Tori McElhaney with the Falcons, the team isn’t sure if Desmond Ridder will be the starting quarterback in 2023 or if they’ll land a quarterback via the draft or free agency. But they know the quarterback position is a top need:
“With Mariota officially off the Falcons roster, filling the quarterback room becomes a top priority for the Falcons.
In an exclusive interview with AtlantaFalcons.com prior to the start of the NFL Combine this week, [head coach Arthur Smith] said he was pleased with the progress Ridder made in his four-game sample size. Smith said he thinks Ridder’s future is bright. However, the head coach did say he would not be naming a starting quarterback at this point in the offseason with a draft and free agency period still on the horizon.
“As always, all options are on the table,” Smith said.”
Ridder was a third-round choice by the Falcons in the 2022 draft. The team will have the eighth overall pick in the 2023 draft and would likely need to make a trade move to take one of the top three quarterback options in Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, or Will Levis. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson could be available at eight. But the Falcons have other pieces on the roster that must get better for the 7-10 team to improve.
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