Marcus Mariota apparently did not take his Falcons benching well.
The veteran quarterback left the team after head coach Arthur Smith announced Mariota would be benched for rookie Desmond Ridder. Mariota, 29, was absent from the team’s facility Monday after Smith informed him of the team’s decision last week.
Smith claimed Mariota was getting a chronic knee condition checked out and he might go on injured reserve. However, there had been no previous mention of the injury.
“[The injury] is nothing that has been an issue this season, but that’s [Mariota’s] prerogative so … ” Smith said, according to 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.”
The Falcons, who had a bye last week, were made aware Mariota was leaving the team Friday. He had previously been absent Dec. 5 when his wife gave birth to their first child.
The decision comes as the Falcons, despite a 5-8 record, are still in the playoff race — one game behind the Buccaneers in the middling NFC South. However, it has been an uneven season for Mariota after he was signed by Atlanta in the offseason and handed the starting job. The former University of Oregon star has completed 184 of 300 passes for 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
“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.”
Ridder was drafted in the third round after leading the Cincinnati Bearcats to the College Football Playoff last season. The 23-year-old has yet to appear in a game this year. He will be backed up by Logan Woodside, who was signed Tuesday off the Titans practice squad, at New Orleans on Sunday.
“It’s a performance-based decision,” Smith said. “We’re trying to push the offense. We feel like this is the best decision for where he’s at, where the team’s at.”
