North Gwinnett News

After signing Marcus Mariota to the team recently, Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith said he has complete confidence in the quarterback as Matt Ryan's replacement.

Smith expressed admiration for quarterback, emphasizing Mariota's excitement to prove himself with Atlanta, the Falcons reported in a release.

"I trust Marcus," Smith said in the release. "He's going to come in here, and he's going to give us everything he's got. He's got high-end talent, and he understands what's happened in the past. He's learned from them, I've learned from them, and we feel excited about the opportunity."

The Falcons signed 28-year-old Mariota to a two-year contract and have quickly installed him as the replacement for former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons reported.

While playing for the Tennessee Titans in 2018, Mariota made three touchdowns and threw for 264 yards in a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, leading the team to a 22-21 victory, the Falcons reported

Mariota's arrival to the team reunites him with Smith after the two spent time together in Tennessee, the Falcons reported.

"He's at a different point of his career from where he was at then," Smith said. "I'm at a different point in my career. A lot of lessons learned, and we're excited to work together again."