New Falcons QB Marcus Mariota ready to take the reins from Matty Ice

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After the Atlanta Falcons sent quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts, the team was in need a full-time starting quarterback and Marcus Mariota is ready to be that guy.

"Those are big shoes to fill, no doubt," Mariota said Friday, per ESPN. "I think, for me, something I definitely learned over the course of my career is that you can’t compare yourself to other people. 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.

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"I appreciate what he’s done, appreciate what he’s been for this organization, and the best thing that I can do is try to put my best foot forward and be the best player that I can be."

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan speaks during a press conference at the NFL team's practice facility in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

While the 28-year-old hasn’t been promised the starting role, he is likely walking into a starting job for the first time since the 2019 season. Back then, he was the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and their then-offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is now the Falcons’ coach.

The former Oregon QB was benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill that season and went on to back up Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr for two years.

He played in 11 games over the past two seasons, completing 60% of his passes for 230 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

ESPN reports the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL draft spent five years with the Titans, playing in 63 games with 61 starts and completing 62.9% of his passes for 13,207 yards and 76