2019 was supposed to be a huge year for Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota to prove himself.
Instead, he performed inconsistently through the first six games of the season, finding himself benched in the third quarter of Week 6’s 16-0 loss to the Denver Broncos.
He was replaced by former Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who immediately looked more efficient than Mariota.
Tannehill was named the starter shortly after the contest, and had an impressive debut for the Titans in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the visiting Los Angeles Chargers.
He was 23-of-29 passes for 312 yards with two touchdowns and one interceptions. His total passing yards in the game was more than Mariota produced in the last two matchups combined, and more than the former starter has posted in a game all year.
But just as evident as Tannehill’s confidence and ability to get the offense going was Mariota’s support and professionalism.
“Marcus has been huge throughout this whole process,” Tannehill said of Mariota in a report by the team’s Jim Wyatt.
Tannehill feels for Mariota and the situation he’s in, and appreciates his classiness through adversity.
“He was great all week, just communicating throughout meetings and on the practice field. It is a tough situation. I feel for him and I empathize with him. But he has been a true professional throughout this whole process and he was totally supportive on the sideline today, supporting me when I came off the field.”
The future remains uncertain for Mariota moving forward, but one thing that’s guaranteed is that he’ll remain a symbol of perseverance and support to his teammates.
