Did Marcus Mariota quit after being benched? He has left the team and there is no indication if he will return

According to reports, Falcons QB Marcus Mariota left the team after getting benched for rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder. The team is unsure if he will return.  

According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota has left the team with no indication of “when or if” he will return.

Atlanta coach Arthur Smith said Mariota is not currently with the team after losing his starting job, and Logan Woodside is expected to serve as Ridder’s backup.

There are reports that Mariota is dealing with a knee injury as well but that has not been an injury all season. Arthur Smith insinuated that Mariota quit.

“(The knee) is nothing that has been an issue this season, but that’s (Mariota’s) prerogative,” Smith said, via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. “Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions. It’s part of professional sports. You have to have contingency plans.”

This is interesting because Mariota seems like a selfless guy. Maybe he has had enough and will quit football, but this is shocking news.