Falcons' Mariota: I need to 'carve my own path' after Ryan departure

New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota recognizes that Matt Ryan's departure leaves him with "big shoes to fill."

However, Mariota is looking to avoid comparisons to the franchise icon and instead focus on his own journey.

"I think, for me, something I definitely learned over the course of my career is that you can't compare yourself to other people," Mariota said Friday, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN. "What Matt did here, what he's accomplished here, is truly greatness, and for me, I just have to kind of carve my own path."

Mariota inked a two-year deal with the Falcons shortly after the team traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts this week. Ryan, a 14-year pro, played his entire career with Atlanta since being selected as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

A once heralded quarterback prospect himself, Mariota was drafted second overall by the Tennessee Titans before flaming out after four years as a starter. He's spent the last two seasons as a backup with the Las Vegas Raiders. In Atlanta, he will be reunited with head coach Arthur Smith, who served on the Titans' offensive staff during Mariota's stay with the team.

"Marcus is a high-end talent just like Ryan was," Smith said, per Rothstein. "He was a first-round pick. He's in a different spot in his career, and I trust Marcus, and Marcus, he's going to come in here and he's going to give us everything he's got."

Mariota added that the "excitement" of joining up with Smith led to his interest in the opportunity.

The 28-year-old signal-caller carries a 29-32 record as a starter and has completed 62.8% of his passes for 77 touchdowns against 45 interceptions.

While Mariota currently heads the quarterback room, the Falcons also hold the No. 8 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

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