Marcus Mariota Signs Rookie Contract with Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are scheduled to open training camp on July 30, and Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft and the team's projected starting quarterback, waited until July 21 to sign his contract.

The Titans provided a photo of Mariota signing the deal:

Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com reported on July 16 the Titans were adamant about including offset language in Mariota's contract, and that was the main reason he remained the only unsigned first-round pick. 

Offset language has no barring on a player while he is with his current team. It comes into play only if the team releases him, at which point it could recapture guaranteed money should the player sign with another franchise. Without it, the player can get the payments from both teams.

Titans interim CEO and President Steve Underwood explained to Kuharsky why it's so important to include that portion of the contract.    

"We've always had offset language in our player contracts. It's nothing new," Underwood said. "I think it is important where a high first-round draft pick is concerned, because it's the precedent. Everything that we do is precedential for the next round of contracts."

In other words, the franchise isn't concerned about having to release Mariota during the length of his first deal, which would obviously be a disaster given his draft position. Instead it's about maintaining a position of power in future contracts.

Ferd Lewis of the Star-Advertiser noted praise from head coach Ken Whisenhunt about the consistent progress the Oregon product made during minicamp: "I think (Mariota) progressed every day. Credit to him and the way he works."

Now Mariota can put contract concerns behind him and focus on the 2015 season.