When Marcus Mariota declared for the NFL draft in 2015 after two outstanding seasons as a college football quarterback at the University of Oregon, many predicted he would have a successful professional career that could make him one of the best at his position. Six years after being drafted second overall by the Tennessee Titans, however, the Hawaiian-born signal-caller has yet to reach his full potential, prompting some fans and experts to label him a bust. But is it fair to judge Mariota based on his relatively short and turbulent NFL journey so far?

Coming out of Oregon, Mariota had all of the physical, mental, and intangible traits that NFL scouts crave in a quarterback. He was a phenomenal athlete with a strong arm, quick feet, and exceptional accuracy both in the pocket and on the run. He was also a smart and poised leader who won the Heisman Trophy in 2014 and led the Ducks to an appearance in the national championship game. Moreover, Mariota was praised for his humility, work ethic, and character, which added to his appeal as a franchise player.

The Titans, who had struggled to find a franchise quarterback since the Steve McNair era, saw in Mariota the potential to be their savior. They drafted him ahead of other QB prospects like Jameis Winston and traded away their previous starter, Zach Mettenberger, to clear the way for Mariota to take over from day one. Right away, Mariota showed flashes of brilliance, recording a perfect passer rating in his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015. He finished his rookie season with 2,818 yards passing, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also running for 252 yards and two touchdowns. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and looked like he could be the Titans’ franchise quarterback for years to come.

However, Mariota’s next few seasons were marred by injuries, inconsistent play, and coaching changes that made it hard for him to develop and gain continuity. He missed five games in 2016 due to a sprained knee and he struggled to adapt to the Titans’ new offensive system after the departure of Ken Whisenhunt. In 2017, Mariota suffered a hamstring injury and was benched for a game by interim coach Mike Mularkey. He finished the season with 3,232 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, prompting many to question whether he was regressing rather than improving.

Mariota’s fortunes seemingly improved in 2018, when he led the Titans to a wild-card playoff berth with some clutch performances down the stretch. He threw for 2,528 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games, and also ran for 357 yards and two touchdowns. He engineered a memorable comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, throwing for 344 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Corey Davis in overtime. He also had a game-winning run against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, which sealed the Titans’ playoff berth.

Despite the playoff appearance, Mariota’s future in Tennessee was still uncertain. The Titans had missed the playoffs in 2016 and 2017 and had hired a new head coach in Mike Vrabel, who brought in a new offensive coordinator, Matt LaFleur, who favored a more run-heavy approach. Mariota was also in the final year of his rookie contract, and there were concerns about his durability and consistency. He started the 2019 season well, leading the Titans to a 2-0 record and a dominant win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. However, he suffered an elbow injury in Week 6 that sidelined him for several games and gave backup Ryan Tannehill a chance to take over.

Despite Mariota’s return to the starting lineup in Week 15, the Titans decided to bench him again in favor of Tannehill, who led them to a stunning playoff run that saw them beat the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens on the road before falling short against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Mariota played sparingly in the playoffs, appearing in only one game and throwing one touchdown pass.

Mariota’s time in Tennessee came to an end after the 2019 season, as the Titans opted not to re-sign him and instead signed Tannehill to a multi-year deal. Mariota then signed a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he is expected to backup starter Derek Carr but could also push for the starting job. Mariota has said that he is excited about the new opportunity, and that he is grateful for the lessons he learned in Tennessee.

“I think I’ve grown as a player, grown as a person,” Mariota said at his introductory press conference with the Raiders. “There have been ups and downs, but being able to go through that adversity, it’s helped me become a better man, a better player, and I’m excited to take that next step and try to help contribute in any way I can.”

What’s next for Mariota remains to be seen, but it’s clear that he still has a lot of potential and talent that could make him a valuable asset on any NFL team. While he hasn’t lived up to the expectations some had for him early on, he has proven that he can be a dynamic and efficient quarterback when he’s healthy and in the right system. With a new start in Las Vegas and a chance to learn from Carr and head coach Jon Gruden, Mariota could be poised for a comeback that could silence the doubters and prove that he’s not a bust, but a bonafide NFL quarterback.

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