Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) walks off the field during the first quarter after an injury against the Carolina Panthers at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (ribs) sits out Wednesday practice

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels sat out practice on Wednesday and won’t play until head coach Dan Quinn decides the rookie No. 2 pick is not impacted by injured ribs.

Marcus Mariota took Daniels’ spot and the starter’s reps Wednesday in preparation for a possible start Sunday against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears (4-2).

Quinn said there is no added motivation for Daniels to take the field against Williams, who was the top pick in the 2024 draft in April.

“He’ll get the treatment today and he’ll continue to progress today and tomorrow,” Quinn said Wednesday. “I’ll update you guys after Friday’s practice, and we’ll go from there.

“You guys have all been around Jayden. Anybody, anywhere, anytime — is really the mindset for him. At his core, one of the things I admire about him is readiness, ready to go prove it.”

Daniels was hurt on the first offensive play for the Commanders in a 40-7 win over the Panthers Sunday. The victory improved Washington’s record to 5-2.

Daniels injured his ribs at the end of a 46-yard run on the team’s first snap. He stayed in the game and the drive ended in a field goal before Mariota relieved him.

Daniels has six touchdown passes and four rushing TDs this season, leading the league with a 75.6 completion percentage and is sixth in the NFL in passer rating at 107.0. Mariota is 19 of 26 (73.1 percent) for 203 yards and two touchdowns.

Quinn said Daniels is “close” to being ready to practice. How he practices and Quinn’s inexact measure of whether Daniels is “himself, fully turnt up” dictates what will happen from there.

“He’s close to there, the practice field is the next step of that,” Quinn said. “I want to make sure he can be, fully express himself and do all the things he does that make him so unique and special. That’s what we’ll do, not much different than any other player.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jake Fromm (11) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders release QB Jake Fromm

The Washington Commanders pared down the quarterbacks room on Tuesday, releasing Jake Fromm.

Fromm signed with the Commanders practice squad in October 2022 and spent most of the past two seasons with that group.

Fromm started at Georgia from 2017-19 before the Buffalo Bills selected him in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In college, he threw for 8,224 yards with 78 touchdowns and 18 interceptions but hasn’t seen the same success in the NFL.

The New York Giants signed him off the practice squad in 2021, and he appeared in three games that season, starting two. Fromm, 25, was 0-2 as a starter and completed 27 of 60 passes (45 percent) for 210 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in his only NFL action.

Washington traded starting quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks in March, getting draft picks in return. The Commanders selected Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels of LSU with the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft.

They also have veteran quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel and undrafted free agent rookie Sam Hartman on the roster.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles reach deal with QB Marcus Mariota

Quarterback Marcus Mariota reportedly is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles, this time as a backup instead of as an expected franchise savior.

The 29-year-old veteran agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal that could rise to a maximum value of $8 million with incentives, ESPN reported Thursday night.

Mariota would serve as a backup to Jalen Hurts, who went 14-1 as a starter last year.

When Mariota was coming out of Oregon in 2015, the Eagles’ head coach and de facto general manager at the time was Chip Kelly, who was in charge of the Ducks during Mariota’s freshman season. Kelly reportedly offered an enormous trade package to the Titans to move up to the No. 2 pick in the draft to select Mariota, but Tennessee rejected the offer and chose the QB.

Mariota spent five years with the Titans, going 29-32 as a starter while completing 62.9 percent of his passes for 13,207 yards with 76 touchdown throws and 44 interceptions.

He served as a backup quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 and 2021 before signing with Atlanta last spring. Mariota started the first 13 games for the Falcons in 2022, going 5-8 before he was benched in December.

Mariota posted a 61.3 percent completion rate while throwing for 2,219 yards, 15 TDs and nine interceptions last season. For his 87-game career, he has a 34-40 record as a starter with a 62.6 percent completion rate, 15,656 yards, 92 touchdowns and 54 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons plan to add QB, part with Marcus Mariota

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot cleared the path for Atlanta to pursue another quarterback on Tuesday.

Fontenot, speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, said he was impressed by rookie Desmond Ridder’s showing in December. But the Falcons plan to add at the position, he said, and Atlanta is diving into options in the draft, free agency and the trade market.

“Ultimately, we’re going to add at the position,” he said. “We’re always going to leave every door open. Whether it’s the (eighth pick) or some other point in the draft, we could definitely bring in a quarterback. We don’t want to box ourselves in.”

The Falcons have the No. 8 pick in the first round and are a projected $75 million below the 2023 salary cap, meaning no contract is too onerous for the franchise to absorb. It’s part of the reason the team is consistently connected to rumors around Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“If you have a lot of cap space, that means you have a lot of work to do,” Fontenot said.

Ridder, 23, became prominent in the team’s plans at this event last February. Fontenot cited the then-Cincinnati QB as the player who stood out the most in a sea of 330 prospects, and he met personally with 50 prospects along with his scouting staff and coaches.

But if the chance to upgrade at “critical positions” presents itself, Fontenot said the Falcons will investigate those options.

Atlanta officially released Mariota, 29, on Tuesday, Fontenot confirmed.

“We really appreciate Marcus and all the things he did while he was here,” Fontenot said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) throws against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons QB Marcus Mariota leaves team due to demotion

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota has reportedly left the club after being demoted as the team’s starter due to performance-based reasons.

Mariota is dealing with a knee injury that will likely lead him to being placed on injured reserve. But he was not happy to learn he was being replaced as the team’s starter by rookie Desmond Ridder.

The move came during the bye week for the Falcons and Ridder will make his NFL debut this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

“Those (conversations) are never easy,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “You try to be truthful, whether they agree or not, those are the conversations you have to have.”

According to The Athletic, Smith informed Mariota on Thursday morning that he was being replaced by Ridder. The following day, Mariota said he planned to leave the team.

Smith said the move is Mariota’s prerogative but it was easy to see the head coach was disappointed after lobbying for the Falcons to sign Mariota in the offseason.

Smith was on the offensive staff of the Tennessee Titans for five seasons — including offensive coordinator in 2019 — while Mariota was with that team. Mariota lost this starting job to Ryan Tannehill during the 2019 season.

“Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions,” Smith said. “It’s part of professional sports. You have to have contingency plans.”

Mariota has passed for 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. But he has failed to reach 200 passing yards 10 times, including the past five contests.

Overall, the former No. 2 overall pick in 2015 has passed for 15,656 yards, 92 touchdowns and 54 interceptions in 87 career games (74 starts) with the Titans (2015-19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020-21) and Falcons.

He signed a two-year, $18.75 million deal with Atlanta in the offseason.

Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2014 to cap a strong college career at Oregon.

Ridder was Atlanta’s third-round selection (74th overall) in this year’s draft out of Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2022; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Desmond Ridder (4) and Marcus Mariota (1) pass on the field during Minicamp at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons QB Marcus Mariota (knee) likely headed to IR

Quarterback Marcus Mariota is expected to be placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Monday.

The move comes after what Smith said was a “performance based decision” to make Mariota the backup and start rookie Desmond Ridder.

“I have a lot of confidence in Des,” Smith said Monday as the Falcons returned from their bye week.

The Falcons (5-8) play the New Orleans Saints (4-9) this week. Ridder played well in the preseason and the third-round pick could nail down the position with a strong finish to the 2022 regular season.

“Obviously where our circumstances are, we talked last time about trying to get over the hump in some of these close games and where we try to push the offense,” Smith said. “We feel like that this is the best decision where he’s at, where the team’s at, as we prepare to go down to New Orleans.”

Mariota was not at the team facility on Monday but undergoing medical testing on his injured knee.

A move to injured reserve would effectively end the season for Mariota with four regular-season games to play, unless the Falcons win the NFC South division to reach the playoffs.

The Falcons signed former Tennessee Titans practice squad quarterback Logan Woodside to the active 53-man roster. Woodside will be active and serve as the No. 2 quarterback on Sunday.

Atlanta is 1-4 in the past five games, but Smith said it was time to turn to Ridder because of his progress over the past month. Smith did not want to make a switch if it meant paring down the offense.

“If I thought we had to restrict him, that wouldn’t be fair to this team,” Smith said.

Mariota is in the first year of a two-year, $18.75 million deal he signed in March as the Falcons moved on from Matt Ryan. He is owed a $3 million roster bonus in March that could invite the Falcons to release him before taking on his $9 million base salary for 2023.

The No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota spent five seasons with the Titans and played for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith: ‘Every position’ to be evaluated entering Falcons’ bye

Following a 19-16 loss to Pittsburgh, Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith made it known that all positions, including quarterback, would be evaluated entering the team’s bye week.

Just a few weeks ago, Smith said “nothing’s changed” when asked if he’d consider a switch from Marcus Mariota to rookie Desmond Ridder behind center.

During Monday’s press conference, Smith said “we are still working through that” when asked about the quarterback situation. He also reiterated that Atlanta (5-8) will evaluate every position following its fourth loss in its last five games.

“It’s at every position … whether you’re making a call at left guard or anywhere else on the field,” Smith said. “What you don’t want to do is have a knee-jerk reaction, which I don’t think after 13 games you are.

“What we try to do every Monday is be objective and tell the truth in the meetings. And there’s a way to do that without taking shots at anybody’s dignity or whatever. We’ll never do that. It’s called coaching and being objective and correcting things. And it starts with myself. You’ve got to hold yourself accountable first.”

Mariota garnered criticism after he missed a number of wide-open receivers in the loss to the Steelers. His interception on the Falcons’ final drive sealed the victory for Pittsburgh (5-7).

Ridder, the 74th overall pick in the draft, has yet to be given a shot behind center. But the talented dual-threat could be given a look in order to give the Falcons’ struggling offense a shot of momentum down the stretch.

“We will have some very intense meetings in the next couple of days,” Smith said. “Obviously, I know where we’re at. We understand, too, (that we’ve) been in some close games lately and we need to get back over the hump. There will be changes made. Everything that we decide to do, I will be as transparent as possible.”

Not all of Atlanta’s struggles can be pinned on the quarterback. Penalties at key times have caused drives to stall. And due to the Falcons’ lack of explosiveness, that has often resulted in kicking field goals rather than scoring touchdowns.

“You never going to be really good if you’re in a lot of third-and longs,” Smith said. “Certainly, need to be better than what we’ve been the last five weeks. We’ve been in too many; maybe a hold here and gotten off track. I thought we’ve protected pretty well for the most part against some pretty good fronts. But when you get off schedule, those third-and-9-pluses are hard to convert.”

Despite the team’s struggles, Smith is not giving up hope with four games left and the NFC South title still in play.

“We are in a unique spot,” Smith said. “We have a quarter of the season left and we have a late bye. It’s the latest bye that I’ve been a part of. We have to figure out a way to get over the hump.”

–Smith said he expects to get guards Elijah Wilkinson (knee) and Chuma Edoga (knee), nose tackle Jalen Dalton (toe) and linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (forearm) back following the bye week. He also said there’s “a chance to get (center) Matt Hennessey back.”

–Mariota has completed 184 of 300 passes (61.3 percent) for 2,219 yards and 15 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. He’s also the Falcons’ third-leading rusher with 438 yards and four scores.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Marquis Haynes Sr. (98) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith: Falcons sticking with Marcus Mariota, no ‘situation’ at QB

After losing two games in five days, Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith isn’t in panic mode.

Despite some dreary passing numbers and a combined 32 points scored over the two losses, Smith was adamant that Marcus Mariota is the team’s starting quarterback.

“There is no situation,” Smith said. “There never was a situation. Ever.”

In fact, the second-year coach is optimistic about where his Falcons (4-6) stand entering Sunday’s matchup with the Chicago Bears (3-7).

“We are right in the middle of it,” Smith said Monday. “We’re not where we want to be. But the reality is we are right in the middle of a playoff race with a conference opponent coming in here in a game we need to win.”

Atlanta owns the NFL’s fourth-best rushing attack (160.4 yards per game) but ranks 30th in the league in passing yards per game (156.8 ypg). Only the Tennessee Titans (148.2 ypg) and Bears (128.1 ypg) have been worse.

For the season, Mariota has completed 143 of 231 passes for 1,747 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s the team’s third-leading rusher (347 yards, three touchdowns) and has done what Smith has asked of him within the framework of a run-oriented offense that relies heavily on play-action passing.

But a big factor in the Falcons’ losses this season has been the results of negative plays and turnovers. And Mariota isn’t the lone man to blame, according to his coach.

“We need to avoid negative plays,” Smith said. “I don’t think an offense is going to be very effective if you’re off track. We’ve been pretty damn good when we’ve been on track. We just haven’t been as consistent lately. Those are things we can eliminate. And that’s not just on the quarterback.”

Atlanta drafted dual-threat quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round in April’s draft, but Smith shut down any rumors about a potential quarterback change.

“We’re playing the guys who have been playing,” Smith said. “If we were going to make a change, I’d tell you. You’d see it at practice.”

Atlanta and Chicago have been two of the league’s top teams running the ball, and Smith knows his defense faces a challenge trying to contain a three-headed rushing attack which features dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields (749 yards, seven touchdowns) and tailbacks Khalil Herbert (643 yards, four touchdowns) and David Montgomery (434 yards, two scores).

“I think what the Bears have done is they’ve found an identity,” Smith said. “They have a formula right now. You see what their numbers are running the football as well as anybody, and (Fields) is a huge part of that.”

–Chicago enters its game with Atlanta ranked first in the NFL in rushing (201.7 ypg). A big reason for that has been Fields, who passed for 167 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 147 yards and two scores in last week’s 31-30 loss to Detroit.

Fields has been one of the most dynamic players in the league over the last few weeks.

“You can definitely see his confidence growing,” Smith said “He’s strong as hell. He’s certainly probably the strongest guy they got in the backfield so he’s doing a nice job. We are going to have to stop the run, not just him.”

–Atlanta rookie wideout Drake London caught his third touchdown pass of the season in last week’s 25-15 loss to Carolina. It was his first touchdown reception since Week 3’s 27-23 road win over Seattle.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith calls a time out in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons’ Arthur Smith: ‘Not a disconnect’ between Mariota, Pitts

Behind every good offense, there is a good offensive line. And the Atlanta Falcons have been fortunate to have one of the league’s best units so far in the 2022 campaign.

But that unit took another hit Sunday when left guard Matt Hennessy injured his knee in the Falcons’ 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Coach Arthur Smith said Hennessy “won’t be available this week” when the Falcons (4-5) hit the road to take on the Carolina Panthers (2-7) in an NFC South showdown Thursday night.

It was unfortunate luck for Hennessy after he made his first start of the season in place of starting left guard Elijah Wilkinson, who was put on injured reserve before the Los Angeles game.

Veteran Colby Gossett will be the likely starter at left guard against Carolina.

Despite the revolving door at left guard, Atlanta quarterback Marcus Mariota and tight end Kyle Pitts need to connect more in the passing game, especially on the deep ball.

Mariota and Pitts narrowly missed a 34-yard touchdown pass after a slight overthrow from Mariota. Smith thinks the duo will hit those deep tries in the coming weeks.

“There’s not a disconnect,” Smith said. “We’ve been pretty efficient in the red zone. We’ve hit some explosives down the field. Obviously, we’ve got to continue to work that with him and Kyle, which we will.”

Two weeks ago, Carolina started P.J. Walker at quarterback against the Falcons. But he was pulled in the Panthers’ 42-21 loss to Cincinnati in favor of Baker Mayfield.

Regardless of who starts under center for the Panthers, the Falcons will prepare accordingly in an important divisional game.

“If it’s Baker, we’ll see what he did yesterday,” Smith said. “We’ll see how they used him offensively. Or if it’s P.J., it’s what you’ve got to prepare for. They’ll have them ready to go. It’s a divisional game. We got to be ready to roll. It’s a huge opportunity for us Thursday night.”

–Tailback Tyler Allgeier had 10 carries for a career-high 99 yards against the Chargers. Smith said Allgeier has really progressed on third down, in pass protection and as a receiver, which can be a real challenge for rookies.

“He’s really, really intelligent,” Smith said. “All the different looks you get in the NFL, with the speed that you get, a lot of times for rookies it takes a minute to adapt. I think Tyler has certainly made a lot of improvements there … In the passing game, his awareness, understanding where to settle down in zones. He’s got what I call good spatial awareness.”

–Cordarrelle Patterson ran for 44 yards and two touchdowns in his return from an IR stay. He also caught one pass for nine yards. Due to the production of Allgeier and fellow rookie runner Caleb Huntley, Atlanta has the luxury of keeping its veteran running back fresh and play him in a variety of roles.

— Smith also addressed injuries to tight end and special teams contributor Feleipe Franks (calf), starting cornerback A.J. Terrell (hamstring) and safety Erik Harris (foot).

“I think it’ll be tough for Feleipe to make it for Thursday,” Smith said. “When you’re on these short weeks it’s not like you’re able to really crank up full speed tonight or tomorrow, right. … We’ll do the same thing with A.J., kind of assess him, see where he’s at, (as well as) Erik Harris.”

Smith said the Falcons did not plan to activate any players off injured reserve this week, “but that may change next week.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith calls a time out in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith likes direction of his first-place Falcons

It’s been years since the Atlanta Falcons have been in first place in the NFC South. But at 4-4, that’s exactly where they find themselves ahead of Sunday’s home date with the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3).

Arthur Smith doesn’t want his team to rest on its laurels. But he is proud of the team’s resiliency and the culture that’s coming together in his second season as coach of the Falcons.

“We’ve just got a lot of good guys, and we’ve got a stable situation,” Smith said. “And I’m hopeful we can continue on this path.

“We try to find the right people and you try to foster the right climate and get the right type of guys. … If somebody doesn’t want to do it that way, you’re probably not changing them.”

Despite throwing two interceptions in Week 8’s dramatic 37-34 overtime win over Carolina, Marcus Mariota had his best passing outing of the season. The eight-year veteran completed 20 of 28 passes and recorded season highs in yards (253) and touchdowns (three).

He also had a 30-yard run in overtime, which set up the eventual game-winning 41-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo with 1:55 remaining.

“I thought when they rushed, they try to rush you down the middle or heavy, (Mariota) was able to get out get and extend that play and flip his hips around,” Smith said. “I thought he made some good plays on play-action. The one he had to Kyle (Pitts) on the first touchdown drive … I thought he progressed pretty well (in the pocket) too.”

Veteran Damiere Byrd has seen his role increase in the Falcons’ passing game in recent weeks — and his rapport with Mariota is improving. The seven-year pro had three receptions for 67 yards and a key 47-yard touchdown reception in the win over the Panthers.

“He’s taken advantage of his opportunity,” Smith said. “He’s a guy that’s been in our program and works extremely hard. He wasn’t getting a lot of snaps earlier in the year, but when his number has been called lately, he’s been making plays for us.”

The Falcons could be in line for another shootout in Week 9 squaring off against a high-powered Chargers offense that features quarterback Justin Herbert and versatile tailback Austin Ekeler.

Los Angeles ranks eighth in the NFL in scoring offense at 23.4 points per game, but at 27 points allowed on average it trails only Detroit for the worst scoring defense in the league. Similarly, the Falcons rank sixth in the league in scoring offense (25.0 ppg) and 28th in scoring defense (25.6 ppg).

“We know we have a challenge this week,” Smith said. “You got a team that’s coming off a bye with one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, so we got to be ready to roll in all three phases.”

–Running back Cordarrelle Patterson is scheduled to return from injured reserve this week. Smith said he’d “talk with team doctors and Cordarrelle” to come up with a plan on Wednesday. Smith did not provide an update on the status of starting cornerback A.J. Terrell (hamstring) and starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins (concussion), but said “if they’re trending like they could be ready, they’ll be out there.”

–Tight end Kyle Pitts had five catches for 80 yards and a score on nine targets against Carolina. The Chargers have had trouble defending the tight end position so he could be poised for a productive outing Sunday.

–Field Level Media