Titans Announce Marcus Mariota Officially Benched for Ryan Tannehill in Week 7

The Tennessee Titans benched Marcus Mariota during Week 6 against the Denver Broncos, and he's going to remain there for the foreseeable future.

According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Titans are giving Ryan Tannehill the start in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mariota, the former 2015 second overall pick, will back up Tannehill.

The #Titans are making a QB change. Ryan Tannehill has been informed he’ll get the start Sunday against the #Chargers, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Former No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota goes to the bench.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2019

So...it looks like Jameis Winston...won? Sigh...

As mentioned earlier, Mariota had a dreadful performance against the Broncos that served as the breaking point. In limited action, the former Oregon Duck completed 7-of-18 pass attempts for 63 yards and two interceptions.

Head coach Mike Vrabel sent Mariota to ride the pine and put in Tannehill, who performed slightly better. Tannehill was 13-of-16 for 144 yards and one interception against Denver.

Mariota is getting paid $20.8 million on his fifth-year option, and is officially relegated as the team's No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart, barring injury to Tannehill. This is his final year under contract in Tennessee, and it appears a natural parting of the ways is on the horizon.

Marcus Mariota is making $20.8M this season on the fifth-year option. He will be a free agent in March. https://t.co/cXLEdGvN2A
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 16, 2019

Now, Tannehill will get his first official start since the 2018 season finale, and he faces a Los Angeles Chargers pass defense that ranks fifth-best in the entire league (201.3 yards allowed per game).