“Lamar Jackson to Atlanta confirmed” - Falcons fans brace for big upgrade after Marcus Mariota’s release

Marcus Mariota was recently released by the Atlanta Falcons after just one year with the team. The move comes as a bit of a surprise, given he signed a two-year contract with the team prior to the start of the 2022 NFL season. However, the rebuilding franchise opted to free up additional cap space to use on other assets.The Falcons also selected Desmond Ridder during the 2022 NFL draft, though it's unclear if they believe he will be their starting quarterback for the 2023 NFL season. Many Falcons fans have floated out a much different idea for replacing Marcus Mariota. They took to Twitter to suggest that the Falcons should pursue superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson to fill their void.Put Snyder in Prison@PCB_RIP_ST21@AtlantaFalcons Lamar Jackson to Atlanta confirmed@AtlantaFalcons Lamar Jackson to Atlanta confirmedTy Wright@IAmTyWrightNot a Falcon fan but I want Lamar Jackson to come to Atlanta. They could right their wrongs after Mike VickNot a Falcon fan but I want Lamar Jackson to come to Atlanta. They could right their wrongs after Mike VickJohn Buhler@buhler118The #Falcons releasing Marcus Mariota frees up more cap space to pursue Lamar Jackson. #DirtyBirdsfansided.com/2023/02/28/fal…The #Falcons releasing Marcus Mariota frees up more cap space to pursue Lamar Jackson. #DirtyBirdsfansided.com/2023/02/28/fal…Tom Ernisse@DolphinsTalkTomIf I am the Falcons, I am packaging up 8, 44, 2024 first and 2024 3rd for Lamar Jackson11If I am the Falcons, I am packaging up 8, 44, 2024 first and 2024 3rd for Lamar JacksonKyle Lindemann@LuckIsMadeFFThe Falcons are the hardest team to peg at QB this offseason. Could see them going forward with Ridder, drafting one at 8, or pushing all their chips in for Lamar Jackson if the Ravens can’t work out an extension. They’re the team to watch.9The Falcons are the hardest team to peg at QB this offseason. Could see them going forward with Ridder, drafting one at 8, or pushing all their chips in for Lamar Jackson if the Ravens can’t work out an extension. They’re the team to watch.Box Score Kenny 🏟@projectjaxFalcons making room for Lamar Jackson. Buckle up251Falcons making room for Lamar Jackson. Buckle upColin Dunlap@colin_dunlapThe Atlanta Falcons should trade Ridder and the 8th overall pick (and whatever else they need) to Baltimore to get Lamar Jackson. Play indoors, winnable division, Lamar would own ATL, plus the OC/QB coach is Dave Ragone -- a Louisville guy.292The Atlanta Falcons should trade Ridder and the 8th overall pick (and whatever else they need) to Baltimore to get Lamar Jackson. Play indoors, winnable division, Lamar would own ATL, plus the OC/QB coach is Dave Ragone -- a Louisville guy.SNS Ravo@ravodathirdthat lamar jackson falcons jersey gonna be so special &zwj;5that lamar jackson falcons jersey gonna be so special 😮&zwj;💨UncleLew@FFDynastyLyfeI want so desperately for Lamar Jackson to end up in the Atlanta Falcons locker room but things never go my way. It would be nice for Kyle Pitts and Drake London to end up with a QB they’re talent warrants.I want so desperately for Lamar Jackson to end up in the Atlanta Falcons locker room but things never go my way. It would be nice for Kyle Pitts and Drake London to end up with a QB they’re talent warrants.Thor Bearsword@ddogdavisLamar Jackson in a Falcons uniform would be fun, but again we need a lot more than Vick 2.01Lamar Jackson in a Falcons uniform would be fun, but again we need a lot more than Vick 2.0Many fans pointed out that the Falcons now have plenty of cap space to pursue Jackson. He has been negotiating a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens for more than a year now, but the two sides have been unable to come to terms on the details. This has resulted in his pending free agency during the 2023 NFL offseason, though he's expected to receive the franchise tag.If the Ravens do in fact place the franchise tag on Jackson, it would prevent him from departing the franchise during free agency. But it doesn't guarantee his return to Baltimore for the 2023 NFL season.He may be unhappy with receiving a tag and could request to be traded instead. Davante Adams used this approach last year with the Green Bay Packers before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.This is where the Falcons could potentially come in. They currently have the second-most salary cap space and appear to have a need at the quarterback position. They could possibly package a ton of draft picks together and send them to the Ravens along with Desmond Ridder if they are interested in Jackson.Lamar Jackson is a massive upgrade over Marcus MariotaAtlanta Falcons QB Marcus MariotaMarcus Mariota and Lamar Jackson share some similarities in their style of quarterbacking. Both are serious threats running the football. Mariota exceeded 250 rushing yards and scored multiple rushing touchdowns. This includes a career-high 438 rushing yards in 2022 with the Falcons.While Marcus Mariota is a dangerous runner, Lamar Jackson is on another level. Despite being only 26 years old, Jackson already ranks among the top five in career rushing yards by a quarterback. This includes rushing for an NFL single-season record of 1,206 yards in 2019. He has the ability to elevate any offense to the next level.