The Atlanta Falcons made the decision earlier this month to make a huge quarterback change, going with rookie Desmond Ridder over Marcus Mariota for the rest of the season.
The team better hope that Ridder does well and stays healthy as the starter, because it appears that going back to Mariota is out of the question at the moment.
According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Mariota has left the team with what is being described as a “chronic knee issue”. It’s unclear when or if the veteran quarterback will return this year.
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith discussed the situation on Tuesday, where he seemed to question the severity of Mariota’s supposed injury.
“The knee is nothing that has been an issue this season, but that’s (Mariota’s) prerogative,” Smith told The Athletic. “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.”
Atlanta decided to sign journeyman quarterback Logan Whiteside from the Tennessee Titans practice squad on Tuesday, which may be an indication that they believe Mariota could be gone for good.
It’s worth nothing that his benching was not the first time in his career that he’s been benched on Smith’s watch.
Smith was the Titans offensive coordinator in 2019 when Mariota was relieved of his duties as starter in favor of Ryan Tannehill.
It’s unclear exactly where Mariota and the Falcons go from here. He has one year remaining on his contract at the end of this season, and he could be a very real candidate to be cut by Atlanta next year.
