'Big Blessing': Falcons Ex Olamide Zaccheaus on Marcus Mariota Eagles Reunion
During Marcus Mariota's 13-week stretch as quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons last season, he formed a close relationship with receiver Olamide Zaccheaus.
Mariota and Zaccheaus entered the league on different schedules, the former as the No. 2 overall pick in 2015 while the latter went undrafted four years later.
But Mariota, after being benched and spending two years as a backup, fought his way back into a starting role - and found comfort with the scrappy, reliable Zaccheaus.
This offseason, both players departed Atlanta, Mariota via release and Zaccheaus simply due to his contract expiring ... but they're poised to be back together again.
Shortly after the start of free agency, Mariota signed with the Philadelphia Eagles - and just over a month later, Zaccheaus followed suit and is headed to the City of Brotherly Love.
Of course, Mariota's slated to be the backup to recently extended signal caller Jalen Hurts, but the chemistry between he and Zaccheaus promises to prove true over the offseason, with the latter believing it'll help ease the transition to a new team.
"Me and Marcus have put in a lot of time together this past year in OTAs, in the offseason, training camp, during the year," Zaccheaus told reporters Wednesday. "So just that line of communication, even with Jalen and Marcus, it just makes that communication a lot easier."
During Mariota's 13 starts, Zaccheaus recorded 32 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns; he ultimately finished as the Falcons' second-leading receiver in each category, logging 40 catches for 533 yards and three scores.
Naturally, Zaccheaus already has a good feel for how Mariota operates, but the same can't be said for his bond with Hurts. However, he feels that knowing the manner in which one quarterback goes about their business will only further advance his understanding of the offense and connection with the other.
"Just hearing what their perspective is, how they want certain routes to run and stuff like that," Zaccheaus said. "So having Marcus here is a big blessing in order to just make that connection a lot easier."
Both Mariota and Zaccheaus are on one-year contracts, and the Falcons and Eagles aren't scheduled to play this coming season ... but could a potential playoff matchup loom?
That much is uncertain - unlike the bond between quarterback and receiver, Mariota and Zaccheaus, that will now have a chance to continue some 800 miles from its place of origin inside Falcons headquarters.
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