When you think of Marcus Mariota, a dynamic NFL quarterback known for his dual-threat ability and calm leadership under pressure. Also known as the Heisman Trophy winner from Oregon, he was the player everyone thought would redefine the position with his speed, poise, and arm talent. Drafted second overall in 2015 by the Tennessee Titans, Mariota didn’t just fill a roster spot—he brought a new kind of energy to the NFL. He wasn’t just a passer; he was a runner, a playmaker, and someone who could turn a broken play into a first down with a single burst of speed.
His time with the Tennessee Titans, the NFL team that bet big on his potential after a stellar college career saw him lead them to their first playoff win in over a decade. In 2017, he threw for over 3,000 yards and ran for another 600, becoming one of the few QBs to hit that dual milestone in a single season. He didn’t always get the credit he deserved—some fans and analysts still saw him as "just a college player"—but his stats never lied. He was efficient, smart, and rarely made costly mistakes. Even when the Titans’ offense struggled around him, Mariota kept them in games.
After Tennessee, his path took him to the Las Vegas Raiders, a team looking for stability at quarterback after years of turnover, then to the Atlanta Falcons, where he stepped in as a backup and mentor during a rebuilding phase. He never got another starting job, but he never stopped working. He studied film, helped younger QBs, and stayed ready—because he knew the game changes fast, and opportunity can come in a snap.
What’s often missed is how Mariota’s style influenced today’s QBs. He proved you didn’t need a cannon arm to win—you needed timing, awareness, and the guts to run when the pocket collapsed. Players like Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts carry that same DNA. He didn’t win a Super Bowl, but he changed how teams think about what a quarterback can be.
Now, as he steps away from the spotlight, his legacy isn’t in trophies or Pro Bowls—it’s in the way he played. No flash, no ego, just clean execution. If you watched him at Oregon, you saw the future. If you watched him in the NFL, you saw what happens when talent meets discipline.
Below, you’ll find articles that dig into his biggest games, his toughest losses, and how his journey still echoes through today’s NFL roster moves and draft discussions.
28 Oct
The Kansas City Chiefs host the Washington Commanders in a Monday Night Football showdown where Marcus Mariota’s rushing threat meets a Chiefs defense vulnerable to QB scrambles, with Rashee Rice as the top touchdown pick.