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Ryan Tannehill praises Marcus Mariota’s professionalism after benching

By Michael Moraitis

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Ryan Tannehill #17 and Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans standing on the field together prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Ryan Tannehill #17 and Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans standing on the field together prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill praised former starter Marcus Mariota for his professionalism since getting benched in Week 6.

Since quarterback Ryan Tannehill officially took over as the Tennessee Titans’ starter in Week 7, replacing fellow quarterback Marcus Mariota, the team has reached new heights on the offensive side of the ball.

While that’s great for the team overall, it’s got to be difficult for Mariota to sit by and see this happen without him on the field.

There’s no question the Oregon product is happy for his teammates with the Titans’ recent success, but there’s also no doubt a competitor like Mariota would rather be the one at the helm making it happen.

Despite that fact, Mariota has remained an absolute professional through what has undoubtedly been a difficult process, which really doesn’t come as much of a surprise because that is how he has always carried himself.

When asked about Mariota during the presser before Wednesday’s practice, Tannehill had nothing but praise for his teammate and appreciates how Mariota helps him during the week and on the day of games, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.

"“Obviously it is a difficult situation for him. Ton of respect for Marcus and not only what he’s done in his football career, but the person that he is each and every day. Like I said, tough situation for him but he’s been nothing but professional throughout the whole process — been supportive, being able to just talk through things on game day and during the week. He helps me with watching the tape. I think he does everything he can possibly do to help me and this team along, which says a lot about his character as a person being in that tough situation.”"

After being a starter for all of his life, whether that be in the years before or during his NFL career, Mariota has had to adapt to a new role on the Titans that he isn’t used to — and to no one’s surprise he’s handled perfectly and once again shown how great of a teammate he is.

This will likely be Mariota’s last season in Nashville in what will be the culmination of a disappointing tenure overall after being taken as the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

However, the fan base he leaves behind will always be cheering for him as long as he isn’t facing the Titans, mostly because of how he consistently he carries himself with the utmost class and dignity.

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