Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota Still Unsigned
Nearly two months after the conclusion of the NFL draft, Tennessee Titans first round pick Marcus Mariota remains unsigned. He’s the last of the 256 players selected in the NFL draft to have a contact signed and sealed, which may or may not be an issue to watch in the near future. While Titan’s GM Ruston Webster does not foresee any major issues with signing Mariota, the GM could not tell whether or not Mariota would be willing to holdout of Titans training camp next month.
"“It’s going like most contract situations go about this time of year…We have had good conversations. We’ll continue to have good conversations. Looking forward to getting that done and him being in here for camp.”"
By most accounts, it seems that money is not the issue holding the second-overall pick from signing with the Titans. It appears the “off-set language” of the deal holding up the signing. This language protects the Titans from being financially hit if Mariota is cut within the four years of his rookie contract.
According to the new CBA, players whose rights are selected in the NFL draft are required to sign a four-year contract with the money set aside in the “Rookie Pool.” If Mariota were to choose not to sign with the team who holds his rights, as Eli Manning did, the Titans would have until 30 days before the seasons opening to trade his rights. Hello Chip Kelly!!
If Mariota is not traded and does not sign with the team which holds his rights before the 10th game of the season, he is ineligible to play the rest of the season. If he still does not sign a contract, he would be placed into the 2016 NFL draft, without the possibility of the Titans repicking him. While I don’t believe this situation will at all happen, it’s designed to protect both the team and the player.
Mariota’s quarterback counterpart in the 2015 NFL draft, Jameis Winston, signed his four-year contract worth $23.52 million, including a $16.7 million signing bonus, almost immediately after the draft. Now presumably the two parties had established the contracts language before the team selected the quarterback.
In the long haul, I have little doubt Mariota wont eventually sign with the Titans. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would hold out over money. Unfortunately, the little conspiracy theorist in my head is saying otherwise. Could Chip Kelly do the unthinkable and trade for Mariota’s draft rights? Again, not saying it’ll happen, just saying its possible. Ultimately, Mariota should be able to get this contract signed, sealed, and delivered by the start of training camp.