Kansas City Chiefs: Five QBs to acquire after Patrick Mahomes injury

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

Benched this week by the Tennessee Titans in favor of Ryan Tannehill, Marcus Mariota will be looking for a new opportunity to contribute in the NFL. In the final year of his contract, a trade to a team such as the Kansas City Chiefs could be a jump start on the new opportunity for the former second-overall pick.

Mariota has had a roller coaster of a season thus far in 2019 in Tennessee. He has two games with three touchdowns, but also three games where he failed to throw for one score.

After an abysmal performance last week against the Broncos with just 63 passing yards and two interceptions on seven completions, the Titans and head coach Mike Vrabel opted to turn things over to former Miami Dolphins quarterback. Not only did Tannehill take over in that game, but he has also been named the starter for Week 7, leaving Mariota on the bench.

Mariota led the Titans to the playoffs in 2017 and has a playoff win to his name as a starting quarterback. If the Chiefs opted for Mariota they would have to adjust their offense a bit, but he has the skill and experience to at least keep them in contention.

While Mariota doesn’t have near the arm talent of Mahomes (no one does), but he has shown the ability to make impressive throws at times, and is a more effective runner than Mahomes. Andy Reid may have to go back to his days with Alex Smith at the helm, as I see Smith and Mariota as pretty similar quarterbacks.

Clearly, with Mariota’s struggles this year, he is not the safest option for Kansas City. If they are looking for a guy that is more of a “game manager” that will make smart reads and quick, accurate throws to take care of the ball, Mariota may not be the best option. But if they are looking for a guy that has a more dynamic skill set with the potential to do bigger things in such a potent offense, Marcus Mariota should get a hard look from Brett Veach, Andy Reid and the Chiefs.