NFL Trade Deadline 2019: 10 Players who need change of scenery

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 06: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans points up while walking onto the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Nissan Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

9. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

Marcus Mariota has reached the end of the line in Tennessee. The one-time Heisman Trophy winner was recently benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill. That’s right — Ryan Tannehill.

Hopes were high for Mariota after a stellar career at Oregon. Yet despite the hype, Mariota has been unrealized potential for a franchise that has been more pretender than contender.

With his benching, you have to think Mariota is destined to be wearing different team colors come Oct. 29. Maybe it’s a team that is down multiple quarterbacks like Pittsburgh or someone who needs a backup for an ailing starter. Either way, the tea leaves say his days in Tennessee are few.

Most disappointing for him is the fact he’s spent so much time battling injuries. He’s also been a quarterback up-and-down since arriving in Nashville, and despite some flashes, has never really been the franchise type of quarterback Tennessee hoped for.

Tannehill, meanwhile, seems to be just good enough to keep a job. Whether he’s the long-term solution or not remains to be seen, but it’s not difficult to understand that with Tannehill, Mariota is not in the plan. He’s been far too inconsistent for the organization and no one thinks going back to him makes sense.

The best-case scenario for Mariota is a fresh start. Maybe then, his game improves enough for a second chance.

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