PHOENIX – Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is headed into the final year of his contract.
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, speaking at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday, said she's pulling for Mariota to prove himself as the team's quarterback moving forward.
"Marcus, I want him to be successful," Strunk said. "I want him to be our franchise quarterback.
"It was a tough year from an injury standpoint last year, and I know that Marcus is raring to go and prove that he can be that guy."
Mariota started 13 of the team's 16 games in 2018, and played in 14 of 16. He finished the year with 2,528 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He set the franchise record with a completion percentage of 68.9 %.
But Mariota was banged up as well, which limited his success. He was unable to play in the season finale, and his touchdown total was the lowest of his career.
"We needed to do our part, too, to help Marcus, to get more pieces," Strunk said.
The Titans have already started to do that this offseason, signing former Buccaneers receiver Adam Humphries and former Rams guard Rodger Saffold.
Mariota, headed into his fifth NFL season, has started 55 games since being drafted second overall by the team in 2015.
In his career, Mariota has completed 1,015-of-1,605 passes for 12,004 yards and 69 touchdowns, with 42 interceptions. His career completion percentage is 63.2 percent, and his career passer rating is 89.4.
The Titans also traded for former Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill earlier this month, and he'll be Mariota's back-up.
"I think that Marcus last year was frustrated with injuries, and we had so many injuries as a team last year," Strunk said. "Who would think Delanie Walker would go out game one?
"I am looking forward to this coming year, and I know Marcus is looking forward to this year and getting back to it, and winning games. It is going to be a good year."
