Predicting destinations for Marcus Mariota, Derrick Henry and other Titans free agents
By Brady Akins
Marcus Mariota
Prediction — New England Patriots
Whether Tom Brady stays, leaves, or retires this offseason, Marcus Mariota to the New England Patriots is a move that makes way too much sense to not happen.
Bill Belichick has built a reputation over the years for bringing in forgotten players and turning them into stars and Super Bowl champions using a combination of smart schemes, fairy dust, and ‘The Patriot Way.’ Players like Kyle Van Noy, Lawrence Guy, and Chris Hogan have all struggled outside of New England, but thrived as members of the Patriots.
Mariota has proven in Tennessee that he has talent, but for whatever the reason may be, things just didn’t click for him as a Titan. He would be given a second chance in New England with a coach that’s shown he can develop offenses that fit the skillset of the quarterback and win games with players far less talented than Mariota (like winning 11 games in 2008 with Titans legend Matt Cassel).
Mariota would be another reclamation project for Belichick, but it would also give the Patriots the plan for the future that they have needed since trading away Jimmy Garoppolo. Have him potentially sit behind Brady for a year or two and learn from the best, and New England could turn Mariota into the player Titans fans all thought he could be for Tennessee.