The 2022 <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-playoffs-format-how-do-the-postseason-work-75-20220501-SPD-75.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NFL</a> season is still a few months away from us, but with training camp looming around, the wait won’t be that long. Every season is eagerly awaited by football fans, but this time there are countless reasons to feel even more excited.



Many teams will show up with<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/russell-wilson-explains-why-he-chose-the-denver-broncos-1683-20220621-SPD-1683.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> a new quarterback</a> under center, like the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/how-many-nfl-teams-have-not-won-a-super-bowl-ring-in-their-history-97-20220502-SPD-97.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Falcons</a>. Marcus Mariota has the chance to take over for <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-falcons-interest-in-deshaun-watson-drove-matt-ryan-away-from-atlanta-360-20220504-SPD-360.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt Ryan</a> in Atlanta, as the veteran signal-caller was traded to the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/colts-head-coach-frank-reich-sees-similarities-between-matt-ryan-peyton-manning-1513-20220614-SPD-1513.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indianapolis Colts</a>.



Mariota will face competition from rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder for the starting job, but that can wait. In the meantime, he seems to be enjoying his first months working for Arthur Smith and his staff.



<h2>Marcus Mariota says Falcons’ coaching staff challenges QBs</h2>



“I think they challenge us,” Mariota said, via Atlantafalcons.com. “They want us to understand why we run certain concepts, what coverages we’re running against. For us, it’s mentally stimulating because it’s challenging to look at it from different perspective. I think what’s really cool about Art and this staff is that they try to stimulate your mind constantly. There’s always brand new ideas. There’s always something that we always talk about. So, for me, I enjoy that part of it.”



Mariota, 28, is entering his eighth NFL season aiming to prove he can be a reliable starting quarterback in the league. Only time will tell whether Smith gets the best out of him.

Marcus Mariota

NFL News: Falcons QB Marcus Mariota full of praise for Arthur Smith's methods

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