Should Falcons Cut Marcus Mariota, Sign Browns QB Jacoby Brissett?
The Atlanta Falcons are once again in the quarterback free agent market this offseason.
After a disappointing 7-10 season that resulted in the fifth straight year of missing the postseason, the Falcons will look to re-shuffle the deck at the quarterback position.
The team could stick with third-round rookie Desmond Ridder, but he will need some company in the quarterback room.
ESPN simulated the offseason and suggested that the Falcons could offer a contract to Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Brissett, 30, started 11 games for the Browns, filling in for suspended quarterback Deshaun Watson and went 4-7 as a starter.
He has a lot of experience as a part-time starter, filling in games for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Browns throughout his seven-year career.
He also has a tendency to play mobile, which is a preferred tool in Arthur Smith's offense.
Brissett threw for 2608 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, which is very similar to Marcus Mariota's numbers.
Mariota threw for 2219 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine picks in 13 games with the Falcons this past season. He is under contract for the upcoming season with a $14.5 million cap hit, but the Falcons can save $12 million if they cut him before June, which is why ESPN projects that Atlanta will part ways with the former No. 2 pick after one season.
Should Brissett be the replacement for Mariota, it likely pits a direct competition between him and Ridder for the starting job, with the latter the likely favorite.
The Falcons could go for a pricier quarterback with a higher ceiling like Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo, but going for a cheaper option like Brissett would show some trust in Ridder and give him a chance to be the franchise guy moving forward.
Follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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