Marcus Mariota headed to Atlanta Falcons after Matt Ryan trade

Oregon Ducks legend and Heisman winner Marcus Mariota is reportedly on his way to to his third NFL stop.

The Atlanta Falcons are signing Mariota to a two-year contract, hours after dealing longtime starter Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts for a third-round pick.

Falcons agree to terms on a two-year contract with QB Marcus Mariota. pic.twitter.com/qWVdlJSlxd

— NFL (@NFL) March 21, 2022

In Atlanta, Mariota will reunite with head coach Arthur Smith, who was an assistant on the Tennessee Titans offensive coaching staff during Mariota’s time in Nashville from 2014-19.  Smith was a tight ends coach before becoming offensive coordinator in Mariota’s final season in Tennessee in 2019 when Ryan Tannehill took over as the full-time starter.

Mariota has spent the last two seasons backing up Derek Carr in Las Vegas, while he played in 11 games but never made a start.  He has made 61 NFL starts, all with the Titans, with a record of 29-32.