Why did Falcons QB Marcus Mariota decide to leave his team so suddenly?
With their quarterback in the wind and a rookie set to start, the Falcons are not in an ideal situation, but they are still in playoff contention and that’s something.
In any team sport, no player likes to be benched, but there is also the idea that no player is bigger than the team itself. The debate about that subtle point, is at the center of the contentious situation unfolding in Atlanta.
Falcons’ Marcus Mariota leaves team after benching
According to reports, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota has left the team with no indication as to “when or if” he will return. The shocking news comes just one day after head coach Arthur Smith announced a “performance based” decision to bench Mariota, with third-round rookie Desmond Ridder named to take his place. The Falcons are set to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.
“Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions. It’s part of professional sports. You have to have contingency plans,” Smith said before adding that Mariota will likely be placed on the injured reserve with what he described as a “chronic” knee injury. Curiously Smith also disclosed that Mariota’s knee “is nothing that has been an issue this season, but that’s [his] prerogative so...”
Writing on the Wall: Marcus Mariota’s benching was coming
Though the news is indeed shocking, it’s by no means surprising in terms of what has gone before. Just last week, Smith alluded to a possible change at quarterback when speaking with the media. “We will have some very intense meetings in the next couple of days. Obviously, I know where we’re at. We understand, too, that we’ve been in some close games lately and we need to get back over the hump,” Smith said. “There will be changes made. Everything that we decide to do I will be as transparent as possible.” It’s worth mentioning, that Smith also informed the media that day, that Mariota was not available because his wife had gone into labor with their first child.
As we understand it, Smith informed Mariota on Thursday morning that Ridder would be starting instead of him. On Friday, the Falcons came to understand that Mariota intended to leave the team. “Those [conversations] are never easy,” Smith said of his talk with Mariota. “You try to be truthful, whether they agree or not, those are the conversations you have to have.”
Who is Marcus Mariota?
Signed to a two-year, $18.75 million deal following Matt Ryan’s trade to the Indianapolis Colts, Mariota actually arrived just this offseason. On the season so far, Mariota has taken the Falcons to a 5-8 record in all honesty hasn’t looked good doing it. His passing yards, touchdowns and competition percentage all rank within the bottom half of the league and that’s before we mention, the fact that his nine interceptions rank seventh-highest in the NFL. Not to punctuate the point, but where Ridder is concerned, it doesn’t help that he completed 60.1% of his passes for 431 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions in preseason. To hear Smith tell it, he believes the offense “can operate at full capacity” with Ridder on the field. Ultimately, we’ll all find out whether the rookie can, or can’t when the Falcons head to New Orleans for Sunday’s game.