2015 NFL Combine
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 21: Quarterbacks Marcus Mariota of Oregon and Jameis Winston of Florida State look on during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston begin huge season

Matt Verderame NFL

In 2015, Jameis Winston was drafted No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Minutes later, the Tennessee Titans selected Marcus Mariota. Both franchises believed they landed their quarterbacks for the next 15 years.

We’re going to find out right now if they’re right.

To this point, the first four seasons for Winston and Mariota have been wholly disappointing. Mariotahas earned one playoff win, the only such victory between the two. It’s the only year of eight combined either has played into January. Furthermore, neither has ever sniffed being an All-Pro or been legitimately named to a Pro Bowl (Winston was an alternate to the latter as a rookie). For being such high draft choices, their careers have been nothing if unsatisfactory.

Now, Winston and Mariota enter 2019 with fresh starts.

The Buccaneers revamped their organization this offseason, hiring head coach Bruce Arians to run the show. Arians is one of theist quarterback coaches in recent memory, helping to shape Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer. In short, if Arians can’t fix Winston, nobody can.

The biggest problem to this point in his career has been the amount of turnovers. In four seasons with Tampa Bay, the former Florida State Seminoles star has racked up 58 interceptions and a whopping 38 fumbles. The arm talent has always been there in spades for Winston. It’s about learning how to avoid the big mistakes that have, to this point, defined his career.

As for Mariota, can he finally start making the big plays which have alluded him and the Titans so often?

Mariota has always been extremely cautious, making Alex Smith look like a gunslinger. For years, Mariota has been lauded for avoiding turnovers, but it’s largely because Mariota refuses to push the ball down the field in any capacity. Despite playing in an incredibly friendly time for quarterbacks, the former Oregon star has never thrown for 30 touchdowns or 4,000 yards in a season. He’s also struggled to be durable, never playing in 16 regular-season games.

Both now enter their contract seasons. Neither is certain to be back with their clubs in 2020, and at this juncture, why would the Buccaneers or Titans be willing to spent nine figures on either guy? With the upcoming rookie crop to include Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Jake Fromm, maybe it makes more sense to wait for another hopeful savior.

On Sunday, Winston and Mariota begin the most important seasons of their lives.

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