Marcus Mariota’s most important season yet

This is the most important season of Marcus Mariota’s career.

The Titans’ starting quarterback, the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, is expected to take a major leap forward despite playing under his third head coach in four seasons. Should he deliver on those expectations, he’s due to receive a massive contract extension next offseason.

Mike Vrabel’s plan on offense

First-year head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur replaced Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie, respectively, and were hired in large part because general manager Jon Robinson believed the former regime failed to maximize the talent on the roster.

Mariota served as Exhibit A, finishing with a career-high 15 interceptions and career-low 13 touchdowns during the 2017 regular season, which wasn’t a complete disappointment, despite the quarterback’s struggles and a late three-game losing streak that cost a chance to win the AFC South.

Tennessee finished with a second consecutive winning record (9-7) and reached the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, fueling optimism heading into this year.

The Titans’ revamped offense promises to play to Mariota’s strengths by incorporating far more play-action passes, run-pass options and tempo than Mularkey’s “exotic smashmouth” scheme.

Mariota will continue to use his elite speed and athleticism to run the ball. Full team reports: First practice: Thursday Key departures:

Can Marcus Mariota remain healthy?

Mariota has yet to complete a full 16game regular season, missing at least one game in each of his first three years in the league because of injuries.

Last year, Mariota spent the bulk of his offseason rehabbing after surgery to repair a fractured fibula.

This year has marked the first healthy offseason of his career, and he’s taken advantage by focusing on football.

One of Mariota’s offseason objectives has been to widen his stance in an effort to improve his accuracy. He’s also spent time working with the team’s young receiving corps away from the practice facility.

Blaine Gabbert serves as backup

The Titans’ backup quarterback has started at least one game each season since Mariota was drafted.

Matt Cassel, who bombed in his lone start last year, has been replaced by Blaine Gabbert, a mobile veteran with starting experience.

Gabbert, 28, was a first-round pick by the Jaguars in 2011. He started five games for the Cardinals last season, and led Arizona to victories against the Titans and Jaguars. He completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 1,086 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He also lost two of seven fumbles.

Sunday Wednesday

Luke Falk a surprising project

The Titans made a franchise-low four draft picks, three of which addressed the defense, which wasn’t a surprise. But the final pick was a bit of a stunner.

Tennessee selected former Washington State quarterback Luke Falk with the 199th overall pick – the same spot the Patriots drafted Tom Brady in 2000.

Falk is known as an accurate passer with average mobility and could make the team as the third-string quarterback.

Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.