FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- In the harsh rain inside Bank of America Stadium a year ago, then-Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota struggled in a loss against the Carolina Panthers, making critical mistakes that led to questions about his future as the team's starting quarterback.
Earlier that year, Atlanta had drafted rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round. Mariota started three more games after the dreary Charlotte night, but it felt like a turning point.
Atlanta eventually turned to Ridder, who started the final four games last season and showed enough for Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot to name him the starting quarterback this year.