PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He has the mobility Mike Tomlin is in search of, does 28-year-old Marcus Mariota have the accuracy to be the next Steelers quarterback? What the Heisman winner would bring to the Steelers and what would a contract look like.
WHY?
· Used almost exclusively as a rushing option at quarterback with the Raiders in 2021, Mariota still carried it 22 times in the last two seasons for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tailbacks would like those numbers.
· He’s had basically two years off (other than the 22 rushes) to heal a body that dealt with nagging injuries his first couple of years in the league
· A fresh start could rekindle his 2016, throwing for 3,426 yards with 26 touchdowns to nine interceptions
WHY NOT?
· While 2016 was a solid year at Tennessee, in 2017 Mariota threw 15 interceptions to 13 touchdowns
· Has mobility, yet sacked 25 times in six starts in 2019
· Couldn’t beat out Ryan Tannehill with the Titans and has started six games in the last three years.
· 29-32 in 61 career starts, never winning more than nine games
· Accuracy questions, only had one season where he completed more than 62.2% of passes
COST
· Mariota only cost $3.5 million as a primary back-up with the Raiders in 2021. The 28-year-old is likely to double that with likely suitors bidding war this year as a free agent.