Colts QB possibilities: Marcus Mariota

If the Colts do decide to go a different route at quarterback, they might look at the free agent market. Here is another QB they might take a look at.

Marcus Mariota was the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. He was taken to be the next franchise quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. Instead, he ended up being deeply average for a team that couldn’t take the next step and make the playoffs.

Mariota ended up getting benched midway through this past season, and it turned the Titans’ season around. Ryan Tannehill ended up being the answer, and they made the AFC Championship game under his watch. That leaves Mariota without a team.

Would the Colts possibly take a look at the former Heisman trophy winner? It seems highly unlikely. Mariota hasn’t shown enough at the starter level for Indy to want to bring him in. There is one big reason why they might take a chance in doing so though.

That reason is youth. Mariota is still only 26 years old and will be 27 next year. He clearly has some top talent, which is why he was the second overall pick. He is very mobile and can move the pocket when he needs to and has some arm strength to make throws in tight places.

The problem with him is his consistency. He only was completing 59.4% of his passes when he got benched and his QBR was a lowly 31.4. Jacoby Brissett‘s numbers were even better than that, and he is only a year older. It wouldn’t make sense for them to go backwards in hopes that Mariota finally reaches his potential.

It would be truly shocking if the Colts decided to sign Mariota or really even bring him in for a workout. They already have a backup signed in Brian Hoyer, so they wouldn’t even need Mariota for that position.

As for Tannehill, who replaced Mariota, he will likely be staying in Tennessee, so that doesn’t seem to be an option for the Colts either.