5 Possible Destinations for Ryan Mallett

Sep 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans fans celebrate a touchdown in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Titans

Let me be clear: this is Marcus Mariota‘s team.

You don’t spend the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback to bench him in his rookie year for a player who wasn’t good enough to play for the 2-5 Texans. If Mallett comes to Tennessee and starts, it won’t be because the Titans are upset with Mariota, but because they are protecting him. Mariota is working his way through a sprained MCL, and we all have to hope his team won’t try rushing back the guy they hope to be their franchise quarterback.

Zach Mettenberger started in Mariota’s place on Sunday, but he’s 0-7 in seven career starts over the last two years, and he’s thrown 9 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. The Titans will likely continue to rely on Mettenberger who knows their offense after playing with the team for both of his years in the NFL, but if it looks like Mariota will miss a lot more time they may look in Mallett’s direction.

Another reason for the Titans to give Mallett a call would be for the awesome storyline it would create as the Titans play the Texans on Sunday. I don’t know about you but I’d sure enjoy watching Bill O’Brien and Ryan Mallett stare each other down across the field this week. It would be even more exciting to watch the intensity with which J.J. Watt pursued Mallett if he ever got in the game. It’s unlikely Mallett could get into the game that quickly, but the Titans would give Mallett a chance to start again this year, especially if Mariota’s knee keeps giving him trouble.

Next: Disaster in Dallas