Release of Marcus Mariota latest example of the failure that was 2022 QB offseason

The Atlanta Falcons officially released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, and the move is the latest example of what a failure the 2022 quarterback carousel was for teams that hopped on it. 

Mariota signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Falcons in free agency last offseason but did not even finish his first season as the team's starter. He ended up losing the starting job to rookie Desmond Ridder late in the season, and then left the team.

Now he is officially gone from the team and is again a free agent.

His release from Atlanta comes one day after the Washington Commanders cut Carson Wentz just one-year after trading a couple of draft picks to acquire him from the Indianapolis Colts. 

The 2022 offseason saw several big-name quarterbacks change teams, but a year later it is looking like a failure across the board as several teams have either already parted ways with their new additions, are again looking for starters or have major questions for the 2023 season.

Just a quick run-down of the moves and how they ultimately ended up working out. 

-- Mariota started just 13 games in Atlanta before being benched, leaving the team, and being released in a cap-saving move. While Ridder figures to be the potential starter in 2023, the Falcons have a major question mark and should again be in the QB market this offseason. 

-- Wentz started just seven games for the Commanders, going 2-5 in those games, and throwing nine interceptions before being released. The Commanders are expected to turn to sophomore Sam Howell in 2023, but figure to be in the market for another veteran free agent this offseason. 

-- Mitch Trubisky signed a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost his starting job to rookie Kenny Pickett just four weeks into the season. This was always part of the plan here, but Trubisky did not play well when he had the opportunity. Trubisky remains in Pittsburgh for the time being, but this is Pickett's job and team. 

-- The Carolina Panthers traded a conditional fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Baker Mayfield, hoping he could at least be a short-term stop-gap. The only thing he ended up being was short-term. Mayfield lost his starting job early in the season and was released after seven games and ended up finishing the season in Los Angeles. The Panthers are again in need of a starting quarterback this offseason but will probably need a trade-up to land one of the top prospects in the draft. 

-- The Indianapolis Colts continued their revolving door of veteran mediocrity by trying to squeeze out more productive football from Matt Ryan, sending a third-round pick to Atlanta for him and then re-working his contract. Ryan had a dismal year for a terrible Colts offense and briefly lost his starting job to Sam Ehlinger. The Colts have a top-five pick in the draft and should have a shot at one of the top prospects. 

-- The Browns traded three first-round picks to Houston for Deshaun Watson, even though he was facing nearly two dozen civil lawsuits for sexual misconduct, and then signed him to a fully guaranteed $250 million contract. Watson missed the first 11 games of the season due to suspension, and then failed to impress over the final six games when he finally got on the field. 

-- Then there was Russell Wilson in Denver. The Broncos traded multiple first-round picks and players to Seattle to acquire Wilson, and then signed him to a massive contract extension. After just one year it is already looking like one of the worst trades in recent NFL history, while the Broncos are left to hope Sean Payton can fix Wilson. 

Of the seven prominent quarterbacks that changed teams last offseason, only three (Trubisky, Watson and Wilson) remain with their teams, while only Watson and Wilson are set to be starters going into the 2023 season. Both teams might end up having buyer's remorse on those deals. 

Not a great offseason for quarterback changes.