Titans hardball negotiating could offset Mariota’s talent

When notoriously tight-fisted Tennessee retained the No. 2 pick of the NFL Draft and selected Marcus Mariota, it made for an eye-opening statement by the downtrodden Titans.

Instead of eschewing a big money investment, the Titans said they were going all in on the Heisman Trophy winner.

After a 2-14 finish and missing out on the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, the Titans have trumpeted Mariota as their long-term future.

Now, more than two months later, you have to wonder if the Titans are reverting to familiar short-sightedness.

Their franchise quarterback is unsigned, the only round 1 or 2 pick of the 2015 draft without a contract. Among 256 players chosen, all but three are signed.

For the moment Mariota’s status is more curiosity than immediate headache. But in the coming weeks, as the Titans’ July 30 opening of training camp nears, the situation will take on increased urgency.

As the “Aloha, Y’all” digital billboards around Nashville and the team’s announced expectation of Mariota as the opening-game starter have made clear, the Titans are hitching their wagon to the Saint Louis School graduate from the opening snap.

As we have also been reminded through rookie camp, organized team activities and minicamp, there is much for Mariota to learn and adjust to before the Sept. 13 opener at Tampa Bay.

Which is precisely why you figured all parties, the Titans foremost among them, would have wanted a deal done sooner rather than later.

Instead, the Titans are in danger of going down the same path that caused two of their past three No. 1 picks to come to camp late. Each of their past three No. 1s has been either the last or penultimate of the 32 first-rounders to reach terms.

The jousting, we’re told, is over the basic offset language provision, not the more colorful rumors of a reluctance to sign a no-surfing provision.

Since the adoption of the 2011 NFL collective bargaining agreement, there has been little for teams and their first-round draft picks to quibble over. The money is defined by the rookie compensation framework and deals are for four years with an option.

For Mariota, that means something in the neighborhood of an overall $21.3 million, including a $13.7 million signing bonus, according to Forbes. A nice neighborhood, indeed.

With the offset provision, should the Titans release Mariota before the final year of his contract, whatever they owe him would be offset by what he is paid by the team picking him up. Without the clause, Mariota would be able to collect in full on both.

Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick, has an offset provision in his contract, while Dante Fowler Jr., the No. 3 selection, was able to keep it out of his agreement.

Meanwhile, the Titans have dug in on the offset again, oblivious to the fact it can be seen as calling into question just how all-in they really are on Mariota. This is from a team that stuck with quarterback Jake Locker for four years.

As a new season approaches, you wonder if it is the same old Titans.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.