Falcons quickly find replacement for Matt Ryan

The Atlanta Falcons wasted no time finding a replacement for Matt Ryan after they traded the veteran quarterback to the Indianapolis Colts.

The Falcons announced on Monday that they have agreed to a two-year deal with Marcus Mariota.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was an offensive assistant for the Tennessee Titans the entire time Mariota was there, which was from 2015 to 2019. Mariota was drafted second overall by the Titans in 2015 and never lived up to expectations, but Smith obviously still has confidence in him.

Mariota spent the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he was primarily a backup behind Derek Carr. He appeared in 10 games last season and was used in special rushing packages.

Atlanta is in rebuild mode after missing out on Deshaun Watson and shipping Ryan off to Indianapolis. Mariota is only 28, so he will have a great chance to revive his career with the Falcons.

Photo: May 25, 2021; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports