There’s plenty of pressure on Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota as he enters the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.
If he fails to consistently deliver performances at a high level, or finds himself sidelined by injuries throughout the season, his time in Nashville may very well be over.
While he’s received mixed reviews ahead of the upcoming season, there are plenty of people that are optimistic about Mariota’s future with the Titans.
One player of the past who fully supports the former Oregon signal-caller is none other than NFL legend, Peyton Manning.
While the former quarterback admits he hasn’t taken a deep look into Mariota, he is pulling for him and believes the trend on continuity the Titans have going will be beneficial.
“I do a little thing for ESPN where I do kind of break down quarterbacks, and I only got to do about 6 or 7 guys last year. I didn’t get to (study Mariota in-depth), but I like Marcus,” Manning said in a report by the team’s Jim Wyatt. “I have known him since he went to our football camp as a counselor for three years while at Oregon. So these guys who have been to the camp, you kind of keep up with them and it kind of becomes like a fraternity and you pull for them.
I pull for quarterbacks, so I hope Marcus stays healthy and I think having Mike there will establish some consistency and continuity — that’s what quarterbacks look for is continuity. So having the same coach and hopefully the same coordinator multiple years – I know he hasn’t necessarily had that in his career – should help him.”
Last season, Mariota was 228-of-331 passes for 2,528 yards, with eight interceptions and 11 touchdowns. His passing yards on the year were the lowest they’ve ever been over a four-season NFL career.
In 56 appearances for the Titans, Mariota has gone 1,015-of-1,605 passes for 12,004 yards, recording 42 interceptions and 69 touchdowns.
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