Former Falcons starting QB Marcus Mariota has agreed to a 1-year/$5 million dollar deal with the NFC-defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. The deal comes after news on Friday of backup Eagles QB Gardner Minschew signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
Marcus Mariota has had a roller coaster of a career since being drafted as the second overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. In his role as starting QB, he played for the Titans for 5 seasons, with completion percentages in the mid to upper 60s. With the signing of QB Ryan Tannehill as the Titan’s starter and injuries that hampered Mariota’s progress and viability, Mariota moved to Las Vegas to backup QB Derek Carr with the Raiders.
Despite some strong appearances in his first season, he was used minimally in his second season with the Raiders, mainly for run plays, which seemed to come more naturally to the University of Oregon graduate.
The signing of Mariota to the Atlanta Falcons saw the QB return to a starting position. He went on to a 5-8 record, with 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions, a 61.3 completion percentage, and 438 rushing yards before a chronic knee injury sidelined him in favor of Desmond Ridder.
Of particular note is that last number: rushing yards. A high number of rushing yards/leg talent is something both Mariota and current Eagles starter, Jalen Hurts, have in common. This should result in Eagles gameplay being able to continue along the same trajectory, whether Hurts is eligible to play or not.
The 29-year-old QB spoke with KHON2 sports and had this to say of the signing: “To continue a lifelong dream is such a blessing and I’m very excited to be a part of this team. I’m looking forward to helping in any way that I can.”
And speaking of the organization as a whole: “I’ve heard so many good things, top down. I’ve heard from a lot of guys I’ve played with just how first class of an organization it is, how much they care about the players, how much they want to do right by the players. I was really drawn by the coaching staff on offense.”
