Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota’s path to the beginning job has been extra chaotic than he might’ve imagined upon coming into the NFL in 2015.

After profitable the Heisman Trophy in his remaining collegiate season at Oregon, Mariota was chosen No. 2 general by the Tennessee Titans and was a direct starter.

5 years later, he was a free agent on the heels of a midseason benching that stemmed from a sluggish begin and 4 seasons of largely common play.

Mariota entered his remaining season in Tennessee seeking to earn a contract extension and show himself as soon as and for all, alongside first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Nonetheless, the 2 merely did not have the success wanted, and Mariota was changed by Ryan Tannehill in Week 7.

The remaining is historical past, as Tannehill led the Titans to consecutive playoff appearances, together with the AFC Championship Sport in 2019, with Smith calling performs. The Falcons employed Smith to be their head coach following the 2020 season, whereas Mariota was dwelling the lifetime of a backup quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.

After an general beneath common offensive marketing campaign in Smith’s first season on the helm, the Falcons underwent a facelift, beginning with the quarterback place. After a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson, Atlanta traded franchise staple Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.

With a quarterback draft class that left a lot to be desired on the prime, the Falcons wanted a veteran to return in and regular the ship – and turned their focus to Mariota, who was benched beneath Smith simply three years earlier.

All of that led Mariota so far, the place he is been named the beginning sign caller for the Falcons’ Week 1 contest in opposition to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Whereas it is actually a feel-good story, Mariota might want to show he is taken strides because the final time he labored with Smith, so the consequence is not the identical.

Talking on The Wealthy Eisen Present, Smith shared that Mariota has “had a terrific camp,” and believes the 28-year-old has progressed because the final time they labored collectively.

“He is in a special spot,” Smith mentioned. “All of us proceed to develop and be taught. Very excited to work with him once more. I believe the experiences, among the hardships he went by the final couple of years has solely made him higher. I believe the time he spent out in Vegas was useful to him. I believe he is acquired a brand new look and a brand new lease on life, and he is taken benefit of his alternative.”

Generally, quarterbacks are reliant on play-callers to place them in the most effective place to succeed. Thus, Smith wasn’t completely blame-free for Mariota’s downfall in Tennessee.

As a substitute of ignoring the outcomes, Smith centered on what went mistaken with Mariota beneath heart and has since altered his offense. Certain, the identical key rules stay, however Smith, like Mariota, has developed since their final pairing.

“We have developed,” Smith asserted. “Now we have some core beliefs, however we’ll proceed to evolve. When Marcus walked in right here, it wasn’t the playbook from 2019 after we have been collectively. We have superior. I believe you have to play to the strengths of your staff and your gamers, round your core beliefs. There’s some issues we are able to do along with his skill-set, shifting, that we’re enthusiastic about.”

Similar coach, totally different playbook. 

Similar participant, totally different outlook. 

Similar pairing, totally different metropolis – and for the Falcons, hopefully a special consequence.

Reunited as soon as and for all, Smith and Mariota have the hopes of Atlanta on their backs. The combat to dwell as much as expectations – each inner and exterior – begins at 1 p.m. Sunday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

You may observe Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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