Mariota: ‘This is Derek’s team’
If you thought Marcus Mariota was going to throw down the gauntlet, then you know nothing about Marcus Mariota.
Mariota is not a guy who makes waves, as evidenced by the way he graciously supported Ryan Tannehill with the Tennessee Titans after being deposed as the starting quarterback.
So it came as no surprise Tuesday that in an interview with KHON2 television in his native Hawaii, the newest Raiders quarterback made it clear he understood the rank of Derek Carr in the pecking order at his position.
“First and foremost, this is Derek’s team, and I understand that,” Mariota said. “I understand that going in. My priority was to be
part of a team I felt could bring out the best in me. Whatever happens, whatever comes of that, I’m ready for.”
Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft and a Heisman Trophy winner at Oregon, signed a contract which reportedly will guarantee him $7.5 million in 2020 and contains provisions for incentives and escalators based on playing time which would pay him as a starter in a two-year deal.
The Titans were 2-4 before Tannehill replaced Mariota. Tennessee won seven of 10 games, reached the AFC Championship game, and in the waning moments of a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, cameras and NFL Films microphones caught an exchange between the two.
“I’m excited for you,” Mariota said while hugging Tannehill. “This is the start of something great, brother. I’m so excited for you.”
Tannehill signed a four-year, $118 million extension with Tennessee just before free agency began.
Mariota, meanwhile, is starting over after going 29-32 as a starter, completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 13,207 yards, 76 touchdowns and 44 interceptions in 63 games.
“I do know to play starting quarterback in the NFL, to be in that spot is not an easy thing to do,” Mariota told Rob DeMello of KHON2. “When it comes down to it, a strong, stable quarterback room makes that job a whole lot easier. I’m going to do my best to support Derek in every way I possibly can, try and be the best player I can be and see where that takes me.”
Mariota outlined his priorities in choosing a new team, and determined a team with just two winning seasons over the past 17 years that pulled up stakes and moved to Las Vegas was the logical choice because of the presence of coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock.
“There are two priorities that I had while I was going through the free agent process,” Mariota said. “No. 1 was to find stability. I wanted to be part of an organization that had a stable head coach, to have stability in the front office. Secondly, I wanted to be part of a coaching staff that could bring out the best of me, that could embrace my talents and just put my best foot forward.”
Mariota not only provides a backup with starter’s experience, but also could be utilized as a change-of-pace to ignite the offense.
A native of Honolulu, Mariota also will get a chance to play a scant 2,689 miles from home in Las Vegas — which is at least one airport connection short of the 4,300plus miles to get to Nashville.
“For me, it’s almost been 10 years since I’ve played at home, to play in front of friends and family,” Mariota said. “I think for me, this is as close as it gets. I’m just so thrilled to have this opportunity, to be able to share in the moment.”
• The Raiders re-signed linebacker Kyle Wilber to bring back a key special teams contributor. The Raiders announced the move to keep Wilber when they also made official several deals agreed to in the opening week of free agency.
The Raiders announced they signed linebacker Cory Littleton, Mariota, tight end Jason Witten, receiver Nelson Agholor and running back Rod Smith.
• A construction worker at the new Raiders stadium in Las Vegas has tested positive for the coronavirus. Mortenson-McCarthy Builders said the worker had not been in close contact with any other project worker and had been off site since last week. The worker is self isolating and won’t return until cleared.
The Raiders are set to begin play in the stadium this fall.