I mean, in his 6 seasons in Miami he had 3 head coaches and only one winning season (ironically the one where he hurt his knee with three games left and sat out all the next year). In seasons 2-4 he threw for 4k yards and at least 24 TD's each season with head coaches that are now the Oline Coach for the Cowboys and the Head Coach of the hapless Lions. He already proved he could play before going to the Titans in 2019.
BTW, in 2016 and 2018 while Mariota was still the starter, the Titans had the #3 and #6 ranked rushing offense. So just because Henry hadn't hit his breakout moment yet doesn't mean that Mariota didn't have the support of a running game.
You forgot that we were talking primarily about how Mariota was already a bona fide starter as a rookie.
I had pulled up an article on how he compared with all the rookies a few years within his time.
In comparison to the rest of the league in 2015, his TD % was 14th, his AYA (air yard per Attempt) was 11th, his completion yard per game was 25th (but only 4 Yards fewer than Rodgers, and higher than Manning, Smith, and Tyrod), his rating was 17th, his QBR was higher than Manning and Tannerhill.
All that despite an offensive line that ranked 29th (terrible both in pass pro and run blocking.
Khaled Elsayed reveals the final offensive line rankings for the 2015 NFL season, with the Cowboys at No. 1.
www.pff.com
And do you know why you thought you saw the Titans as having a good run game in 2016 and 2018?
That was because you included Mariota's rushing stats in there.
That running ability of his is something other guys may not have even though their passing stats might be higher.
Sure, he might be ranked 22nd by NFL, but as a rookie and playing with that Oline, can there be any doubt that he already proved that he was a bonafide starting QB (even with a coaching change mid-season).
The third annual QB Index year-end rankings are out. Cam Newton finished 14th last season. How far did he move up the list this year?
www.nfl.com