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Titans GM: Mariota will be on his 'fifth language' under new OC

Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Tennessee Titans are in need of yet another offensive coordinator after Matt LaFleur recently filled the Green Bay Packers' head coaching vacancy.

Tennessee's now in search of a fourth OC - and fifth play-caller - since quarterback Marcus Mariota was drafted second overall in 2015.

General manager Jon Robinson understands the difficulties the turnover has imposed on the 25-year-old since joining the league.

"It is always challenging when you are talking about new terminology and concepts. I kind of liken it to learning a foreign language, and he is on his fifth language now," Robinson said, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. "But we’ll do our best to try and help the team and keep a lot of that the same. We’ll talk to coach Vrabel and we’re still just going through that process now about the direction that we’re going to go.

"But it is always difficult with any player when there is change because you have to learn new things. One thing was called 'this' with this coach, and now this is called 'that.'"

Mariota had the highest completion percentage of his career in 2018 at 68.9, though he threw for career lows of 2,528 yards and 11 touchdowns over 14 games (13 starts) with eight interceptions. His 64 rushing attempts and 357 yards were both career highs, adding two more scores on the ground.

He missed Week 17 due to injury as the Titans lost a must-win game against the Indianapolis Colts and missed the playoffs for the third time in his four seasons under center.

Robinson remains confident Mariota can adapt to whatever style a new coordinator instills and lead the Titans to success in his fifth season.

"Marcus is a smart guy," Robinson said. "We’ll work at it. Whatever we ask of him from a studying and learning and terminology standpoint, I am confident that he’ll definitely put the time in to try and be his best."

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