Marcus Mariota is getting another shot as a starter in the NFL. The former Tennessee Titans starting quarterback is hoping to fully capitalize on his chance with a new team, the Atlanta Falcons, who inked him to a two-year deal worth $18.75 million. In Atlanta, Mariota is reuniting with former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who now is the head coach of the Falcons.

Smith sounded very welcoming of Mariota to Atlanta and also believed that the quarterback is just as excited as him with his new development.

Via Michael Rothstein of ESPN:

Falcons HC Arthur Smith on Marcus Mariota, who he worked with in Tennessee.

Said they both at different points in their career.

“He’s excited to get to Atlanta to prove himself.” — Smith on Mariota.

Mariota spent the first five seasons of his pro career with the Titans, who selected him second overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. His stint with the Titans produced a mixed bag of results and he was eventually supplanted by Ryan Tannehill, who continues to be Tennessee's starting QB. Mariota would later find himself in the shadows of Derek Carr as the latter's backup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

While the excitement is definitely there for Mariota and Smith, the work ahead isn't going to be a cakewalk, especially with a Falcons squad that finished with just a 7-10 record and operated with a problematic offense in 2021.