The worst NFL quarterback through three games in 2016 is Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN’s Total QBR metric.
Mariota currently ranks 31st out of 31 qualifying quarterbacks in ESPN’s advanced version of passer rating.
Turnovers have likely played a big part in Mariota’s fall down the rankings in Total QBR. He has four interceptions and two lost fumbles this season, including a pair of picks and a lost fumble during Tennessee’s 17-10 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 3. His QBR against the Raiders finished at three on a 100-point scale.
Mariota’s head coach has a theory for why his young quarterback has suffered through some ups and down to start 2016.
“I think it’s a combination of a lot of things,” coach Mike Mularkey said, via ESPN. “I would like to see our receivers help him out and make some plays on contested balls, like I see across the way. That’s one. I think maybe earlier, with the interceptions, it was a little bit of trying to make something happen because he is confident in his ability. Again, I’m not going to take anything back from him. He’s made some of those same throws and completed them.”
Mariota said he thinks he’s just trying to “do too much” from play-to-play.
The Titans are currently 1-2. While Mariota helped lead a comeback over the Detroit Lions in Week 2, he also had an interception and a fumble returned for touchdowns in the season opener against the Vikings, and his three turnovers highlighted a disappointing performance during last Sunday’s loss to the Raiders.
Mariota and the Titans take on the Houston Texans, who just lost J.J. Watt for the season, in Week 4.
