Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) swats backup Ryan Tannehill as part of a drill Tuesday in Nashville. The Titans made a trade with the Miami Dolphins to get Tannehill in the offseason, but coach Mike Vrabel said Mariota's "job is not in jeopardy."NASHVILLE - Going into the final year of his rookie contract, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota hasn't changed anything about how he prepares for an NFL season.
That includes no talk of holding out or public demands for a new deal. The 25-year-old Honolulu native prefers to show up and work hard during the voluntary offseason program in hopes of being the best he can be.
"Let it ride," Mariota said Tuesday. "I mean, no matter what, still I get to come out here. I get to play a game that I love, and I'm going to make the most of it."
Mariota's injury history is the obvious reason why the Titans have yet to sign him to an extension after picking up his option for 2019 at $20.9 million. He has missed at least one game a season and eight combined through his first four years in the NFL, and he is coming off a season in which he had his fewest passes (331), completions (228) passing yards (2,528) and touchdown passes (11) as a professional. However, he did have his highest percent of completed passes (68.9) and just eight interceptions while dealing with being sacked 42 times.
A revolving cast of coaches hasn't helped Mariota or the offense. Mike Vrabel is Mariota's third head coach since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2015, and Arthur Smith is his fourth offensive coordinator and fifth play-caller. Vrabel promoted Smith from coaching tight ends to make the transition as smooth as possible - the only offensive change after former Titans coordinator Matt LaFleur was hired as the Green Bay Packers' head coach.
Mariota and Smith know each other well, having spent the past four seasons together through all the different schemes. The quarterback said Smith makes it easy for players to talk to him about what they like and don't like.
"I hope that there's a lot of carry-over," Vrabel said of the offense entering his second season as coach.
Thanks to a dominant December by Derrick Henry running the ball, the Titans ranked seventh in rushing in 2018, but they were 29th in passing offense, managing a mere 189.5 yards per game after losing Mariota's top target - three-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker - to a broken right ankle in the opener.
Mariota threw for more than 300 yards only once last season, in an overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Titans had three games in which they didn't reach 100 passing yards. Mariota missed three starts, including the regular-season finale in which a victory would have earned a second straight playoff berth.
The Titans changed Mariota's backup, releasing Blaine Gabbert and trading for Ryan Tannehill in March, and also signed wide receiver Adam Humphries and left guard Rodger Saffold in free agency. In last month's draft in Nashville, the team's selections included wide receiver A.J. Brown in the second round and guard Nate Davis in the third round.
"I feel like as a team we've made some good choices," Walker said, "and hopefully they can bring something dynamic to the offense."
Mariota wouldn't bite when asked how little he needs Tannehill to play this season.
"No matter what, I know he'll be prepared if it comes to that," Mariota said, "and he'll make the most of his opportunity."
The Titans made clear when they traded for Tannehill that Mariota remains their starter, though that hasn't stopped speculation that Tannehill was brought in to push Mariota. Tannehill, a top-10 draft pick in 2012, was the Miami Dolphins' regular starter throughout his time with them before being traded to Tennessee.
Vrabel said Mariota's "job is not in jeopardy."
Mariota, who sat out the final game last season because of a nerve problem affecting his throwing arm, looked fine on the second day of the Titans' organized team activities in the final phase of the offseason program. Mariota threw short-, mid- and long-range passes.
While Mariota wishes the injuries hadn't happened - especially at the end of the season - he's working to be healthier, having gained a few extra pounds to help his durability.
"Other people's opinions don't matter to me," Mariota said. "I've just got to be the best I can be for this team."
Walker took part in practice, though he was limited to four snaps in a team drill at a jog, and said he felt good.
"As a team, we talked about it, and this is the plan they've got for me," the tight end explained. "So I'm happy with the plan. Just taking steps, pretty much."