Tag: Marcus Mariota

Aug 27, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Falcons rookie QB Desmond Ridder to start in Week 15

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rookie Desmond Ridder is the starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons when the team returns from their bye week, NFL Network reported on Thursday.

Per the report, Ridder will usurp Marcus Mariota and be under center for the Falcons at New Orleans in Week 15. The 23-year-old Ridder has yet to play a snap in the regular season. He was selected by the Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati.

A dual-threat quarterback, Ridder tossed a school-record 87 touchdown passes during his four seasons with the Bearcats. His 44 wins at Cincinnati are the third-most in college football history.

He guided the Bearcats to a 13-1 record in 2021, passing for 3,334 yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Ridder was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021.

The Falcons (5-8) lost four of their last five games to fall behind the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6).

Atlanta coach Arthur Smith told reporters that “every job is open” on Monday, one day after the Falcons dropped a 19-16 decision to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mariota, 29, has completed just 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,219 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions while making all 13 starts this season. His 15 TDs rank 16th in the NFL. He is tied for fifth (most) in the NFL with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins with nine interceptions.

Mariota garnered criticism for missing open receivers in the loss to the Steelers. His interception on the Falcons’ final drive sealed the victory for Pittsburgh.

The Falcons have struggled mightily in the passing game this season. Per STATS, the Falcons rank 27th in the NFL in “big pass plays” (25-plus-yard pass plays) and 31st in pass attempts this season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) rushes with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons sign QB Marcus Mariota to two-year deal

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Free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, not long after the Falcons dealt longtime franchise QB Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.

Mariota most recently backed up Derek Carr and played in special packages for the Las Vegas Raiders for two seasons after spending his first five NFL campaigns with the Tennessee Titans.

Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith overlapped with Mariota in Tennessee. Smith was the Titans’ tight ends coach from 2015-18 and offensive coordinator in 2019, the year Ryan Tannehill unseated Mariota for their starting job.

Mariota, 28, won the 2014 Heisman Trophy at Oregon and went No. 2 overall in the 2015 draft. He amassed a 29-32 record as the Titans’ starter and threw for 13,207 yards, 76 touchdowns and 44 interceptions in 63 games (61 starts). He also ran for 1,399 yards and 11 touchdowns in that span.

The Hawaiian got into 11 games in Las Vegas across 2020 and 2021, scoring two rushing touchdowns and throwing for another. He attempted just two passes in 2021.

Ryan, 36, was Atlanta’s starter for the past 14 seasons. The Colts gave up a third-round pick in the 2022 draft to acquire Ryan as their new answer at quarterback.

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a touchdown reception in the end zone against Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders’ Bryan Edwards, Marcus Mariota on COVID list

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The Las Vegas Raiders placed starting wideout Bryan Edwards and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday’s home game against Denver.

The Raiders (7-7) activated wide receiver Dillon Stoner and quarterback Nathan Peterman from the practice squad for the AFC West clash with the Broncos (7-7).

Edwards, 23, has 30 catches for 508 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (11 starts) in his second NFL season.

Mariota, 28, has played a total of 12 offensive snaps this season in eight games. He has not attempted a pass and has rushed six times for 48 yards and a touchdown.

They joined offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor, cornerback Brandon Facyson and safety Roderic Teamer on the Raiders’ COVID list.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball ahead of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) defensive back DeShon Elliott (32) and linebacker Malik Harrison (40) during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders place QB Marcus Mariota (quad) on IR

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Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota was put on injured reserve with a quad injury, NFL Network reported Saturday.

He aggravated his injury in Monday night’s 33-27 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens, and his placement on IR means he must miss a minimum of three weeks..

Mariota, 27, apparently was injured on the lone snap he took in the game, a 31-yard run up the middle in the first quarter.

Nathan Peterman will replace Mariota as the backup to starter Derek Carr.

The No. 2 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, Mariota is in the final year of his contract and is slated to become a free agent.

Mariota was initially scheduled to earn $10.7 million in 2021, but with the money not guaranteed, the Raiders would likely have cut him had he not agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million restructured deal.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball ahead of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) defensive back DeShon Elliott (32) linebacker Malik Harrison (40) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders QB Marcus Mariota (quad) sidelined

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota will miss the next few weeks after aggravating a quad injury in Monday night’s 33-27 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens, according to an NFL Network report.

Mariota, 27, apparently was injured on the lone snap he took in the game, a 31-yard run up the middle in the first quarter.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden acknowledged that Mariota was hurt during the game on Tuesday, but the team could face a fine from the NFL for failing to disclose his status during the game.

Nathan Peterman will replace Mariota as the backup to starter Derek Carr.

The No. 2 overall pick in 2015, Mariota is in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent in 2022.

Mariota was scheduled to earn $10.7 million in 2021, but with the money not guaranteed, the Raiders would have cut him had he not agreed to restructure his deal.

He reworked his contract with the Raiders before the season and will earn a guaranteed $3.5 million this season.

Originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans, Mariota has appeared in 65 career games (61 starts) and thrown for 13,433 yards with 77 touchdowns and 45 interceptions. He also has run for 1,518 yards and added 12 scores.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Marcus Mariota takes pay cut, returns to Raiders

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Jan 3, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with cornerback Steven Nelson (22) during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Marcus Mariota is expected to return to the Las Vegas Raiders on a reworked contract that will pay him $3.5 million this season, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Mariota can earn up to $8 million with incentives.

Either way, it’s a big pay cut for Mariota, who signed a two-year, $17.6 million deal with the Raiders last March to back up Derek Carr. He earned $20.9 million in 2019 with the Tennessee Titans but lost his starting job to Ryan Tannehill and wasn’t re-signed.

Mariota, 27, was scheduled to earn $10.7 million in 2021, but with the money not guaranteed, the Raiders would have cut him had he not agreed to restructure his deal. The reduced 2021 salary cap made that price too high for a backup, and Mariota found himself with limited options as many teams with needs at quarterback have filled their open spots.

The Titans made him the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2015. In 61 career starts, he has a 29-32 record and has thrown for 13,433 yards with 77 touchdowns and 45 interceptions. He also has run for 1,487 yards and added 12 scores.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts as he heads to the locker room after suffering a groin injury against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Gruden ‘optimistic’ QB Carr will play vs. Miami

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr practiced for the second straight day on Thursday, a good indication that he will play on Saturday against the Miami Dolphins, coach Jon Gruden said.

Carr injured his groin will he was running around right end in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 17. He was replaced by Marcus Mariota.

Carr was limited in practice on Tuesday but was a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday.

“I’m not going to say anything other than I’m optimistic, but I’m not a mind reader,” Gruden said Thursday. “I just know that he had an injury that caused him to miss the game last week and I respect that. He’s a tough guy, man. I’m optimistic he’ll be ready to go, yes.”

Carr has a career-best 102 passer rating this season, throwing for 3,396 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Mariota, a former No. 2 overall draft pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, made his debut for the Raiders against the Chargers by throwing for 226 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing for 88 yards and another score, in a 30-27 overtime loss.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts as he heads to the locker room after suffering a groin injury against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders QB Carr (groin) sidelined 10-14 days

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Las Vegas coach Jon Gruden gave quarterback Derek Carr a 50/50 chance to play in the team’s next game, although a published report isn’t as optimistic.

NFL Network reported that Carr will be sidelined at least 10-to-14 days with a strained groin. Carr sustained the injury in the first quarter of the Raiders’ 30-27 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday.

That time frame would rule out Carr for the Las Vegas’ home game against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 26.

Should Marcus Mariota lead the Raiders (7-7) to victory, Carr would then be an option to keep the team’s slim postseason hopes alive in a Week 17 game at the Denver Broncos on Jan. 3.

“I met with Derek (on Friday) morning and he is still sore,” Gruden said. “I think there’s a chance but being conservative right now, I’d say it’s 50/50. … Derek’s health will be determined here in a couple days.”

Mariota, 27, completed 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and an interception while also rushing for a game-high 88 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

Carr, 29, has thrown for 3,396 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 14 games this season. He has also rushed for a career-high 141 yards and two scores.

–Field Level Media