28 February 2023 , 19:52
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The Atlanta Falcons have released starting quarterback Marcus Mariota after just one season - which led to rookie Desmond Ridder starting the last few games of the season.
Ridder was taken in the third round of the 2022 draft after an impressive season with Cincinnati in college, but was never truly seen as a starting-calibre quarterback, however he could get his shot this upcoming season.
But this move to release Mariota will only intensify trade talks between the Falcons and former MVP Lamar Jackson, who has been linked to Atlanta after failing to agree a deal with the Baltimore Ravens. The 26-year-old quarterback is now just 15 days away from officially becoming a free agent as he is representing himself without an agent in negotiation.
All the reports around Jackson are that the 2018 MVP wants a fully-guaranteed deal in line with the record-breaking fully-guaranteed five-year $230million deal - one that is similar or would exceed that Deshaun Watson's after he joined the Cleveland Browns.
The Ravens have the option of signing Jackson to a franchise tag by March 7, which would see Jackson paid $45m guaranteed for next season. However, the team could also tag and trade the quarterback, with the Falcons, New York Jets and New York Giants all being rumoured as landing spots.
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While the two New York franchises would be intriguing, the Falcons would be a seemingly perfect fit for Jackson - a team with a strong offensive line, running game and two elite receivers in Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
Lamar Jackson could be a target for the FalconsIt would likely cost the Falcons around two first round picks, potentially much more, to swing a trade for Jackson if the Ravens are to indeed franchise tag him. For Mariota, it is unlikely that he finds a starting job, and may have to demote to a back-up quarterback as he had been for two years with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mariota has been far from a poor quarterback since being picked with the second overall selection in the 2015 class, throwing 92 touchdowns to 54 interceptions and leading the Titans to the playoffs in 2017.
But with four quarterbacks likely being drafted in the top 10 picks this year, along with only Tom Brady retiring, starting spots will be hard to come across this upcoming season.