The two-year contract Marcus Mariota signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason has quickly become not only the best deal in football this season, but will likely be a steal again in 2023.
Sure, teams like the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets have been the surprise squads this season. However, the Atlanta Falcons certainly deserve some respect on their names as well. Heading into Week 9, the 4-4 team currently is in first place in the NFC South, ahead of the star-studded Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While the organization was viewed as one in the midst of a rebuild, several players have far exceeded expectations. The coaching staff’s decision to make Cordarelle Patterson a running back last year has continued to pay major dividends in 2022. Plus, rookie Drake London is well ahead of schedule and has become the team’s WR1 already.
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However, this team has overperformed this season — despite having one of the worst defenses in the league — due in no small part to the quarterback play of Marcus Mariota. No, the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft hasn’t finally ascended to the level many thought he would attain as a top prospect seven years ago. But he has outplayed his contract in a serious way and has been one of the best game managers in the entire league this season.
2022 Marcus Mariota is one of the best bargains in the NFL
Mariota is unlikely to land a spot in the Pro Bowl, but there is a real chance he could lead his team to the playoffs, and in the end, that is more important. While the 29-year-old is middle of the road or worse in passing yards, completion percentage, and touchdowns, he is better than several top quarterbacks in two key categories: Passer and QB rating.
The two stats best some up how efficient and effective the athlete at the most important position on the field is. In 2022, he has a passer rating of 92.7. It’s the second-best of his career, and currently higher than Kirk Cousins, Justin Herbert, and Kyler Murray. A trio of QBs thought to be much better than him.