Marcus Mariota is remaining optmistic after it was announce Ryan Tannehill will be the Titans' starting quarterback against the Chargers this week.
Mariota, who has been Tennessee's starter since his rookie season in 2015, says this isn't the beginning of the end for him.
"Until the day that I die, I'm going to believe I gave it all I got. No matter what, I can learn and grow from this situation. This isn't going to bring me down. This isn't going to end my career," Mariota told reporters. "I had an opportunity to play but I didn't make the most of it. I am going to learn and grow from it."
.@Titans QB Marcus Mariota pic.twitter.com/oGNk0oLS61
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 16, 2019
More from @Titans QB Marcus Mariota in locker room today. pic.twitter.com/vVQaMmQ30h
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 16, 2019
Currently, the Titans are 2-4 and Mariota has struggled most of the season. Last week against the Broncos, he threw for just 63 yards, two picks and no touchdowns in th 16-0 loss. He ended up being replaced by Tannehill late in the third quarter.
“It’s going to be different,” Mariota said of his backup role. “I’m going to do everything I can to help Ryan (Tannehill) and help this team.”
Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the change Wednesday at the Titans’ practice, saying that he hopes the move will “get a little spark” from the team.
“I am very confident that, after having talked to Marcus and watching him prepare already today that if called upon, at some point and time, we expect him to be ready to go,” Vrabel told reporters.
“It is not an easy thing for any player. I would say it is not an easy thing for a coach that cares about his players … to make that decision. But we felt like this was the right thing for the team right now.”
Mariota being benched could mark the end of his tenure with Tennessee, since he's in the final year of his rookie contract. So far this season, he's thrown for 1,179 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions with a 59.1 completion percentage.