Titans QB Marcus Mariota Explains His New Approach to Pregame Routine

Aug 10, 2018 at 10:51 AM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – During his first three NFL seasons, it was easy to set a clock on Marcus Mariota's first entrance onto the playing field prior to kickoff.

The Titans quarterback regularly took the field – in uniform – roughly 50 minutes prior to games, and he'd take part in pregame drills with his teammates.

Prior to that, he prepared himself for games in the locker room, or out of sight, in the bowels of NFL stadiums.

But Mariota changed his pregame routine on Thursday night at Lambeau Field prior to the team's preseason opener against the Packers.

Several hours before kickoff, Mariota took the field in a t-shirt and shorts. He did a stretching routine while warming up, moving around on the field and stretching on a goalpost. He threw the football to his teammates.

After heading into the locker room, Mariota later returned in full uniform roughly 50 minutes before kickoff against the Packers. That's when the Titans began pregame work leading up to the contest.

Mariota said it's the start of something new.

"I think it will probably be the start of a new routine," Mariota said after the game. "It's something that I had worked on in the offseason. It felt good, and I felt like I was ready to go. So I felt like I might as well try and implement it throughout the year and it went well today."

Mariota played just one drive for the Titans, and he guided the team to a touchdown – a four-yard touchdown pass to receiver Darius Jennings.

Mariota finished the game 2-of-3 for 42 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for seven yards on his only carry of the night. His passer rating was 149.3.

Former Titans quarterbacks have approached pregame routines differently, going all the way back to Steve McNair. During his playing days, McNair usually took the field and warmed up with equipment manager Joey Barranco roughly three hours before a game, before going back to the locker room and taking a quick nap. He'd then return in uniform for pregame warmups closer to kickoffs.

.@Titans QB Marcus Mariota hasn’t made a habit of warming up on the field hours before games. He’s out early @LambeauField prior to tonight’s game vs @packers pic.twitter.com/NhD7S4rDiQ
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 9, 2018

Other Titans quarterbacks have warmed up on the field in t-shirts and shorts leading up to games, before making a return trip, in uniform, closer to kickoff.

"Part of it is loosening up, and also it is an opportunity to throw with the guys a little bit," Mariota said. "It is always good to just see the guys catch the ball, throw the ball, just little things like that I think psychologically help."

1 / 162

2 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Darius Jennings (15) is congratulated by Nick Williams after his touchdown catch during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

3 / 162

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota drops back during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

4 / 162

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby kicks off during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

5 / 162

6 / 162

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

7 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Nick Williams catches a pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Quinten Rollins during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

8 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Cameron Batson catches a ball during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

9 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

10 / 162

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota scrambles during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

11 / 162

Tennessee Titans players line up for the national anthem before the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

12 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry runs during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

13 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Blaine Gabbert throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

14 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Blaine Gabbert throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

15 / 162

Green Bay Packers' Quinten Rollins fumbles a punt as he is hit by Tennessee Titans' LeShaun Sims during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

16 / 162

17 / 162

18 / 162

19 / 162

20 / 162

21 / 162

22 / 162

23 / 162

24 / 162

25 / 162

26 / 162

27 / 162

28 / 162

29 / 162

30 / 162

31 / 162

32 / 162

33 / 162

34 / 162

35 / 162

36 / 162

37 / 162

38 / 162

39 / 162

40 / 162

41 / 162

42 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Blaine Gabbert drops back during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

43 / 162

Tennessee Titans' David Fluellen runs during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

44 / 162

Tennessee Titans' David Fluellen runs during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

45 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Kalan Reed (24) is called for pass interference on a pass to Green Bay Packers' J'Mon Moore during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

46 / 162

47 / 162

Tennessee Titans' David Fluellen runs during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

48 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Blaine Gabbert throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

49 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Jayon Brown is congratulated by Kevin Byard (31) after intercepting a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

50 / 162

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers is seen on the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

51 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Blaine Gabbert throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

52 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Dane Cruikshank walks off the field after being hurt during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

53 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Blaine Gabbert drops back during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

54 / 162

55 / 162

56 / 162

57 / 162

58 / 162

59 / 162

60 / 162

61 / 162

62 / 162

63 / 162

64 / 162

65 / 162

66 / 162

67 / 162

68 / 162

69 / 162

70 / 162

71 / 162

72 / 162

73 / 162

74 / 162

75 / 162

76 / 162

77 / 162

78 / 162

79 / 162

80 / 162

81 / 162

82 / 162

83 / 162

84 / 162

85 / 162

86 / 162

87 / 162

88 / 162

89 / 162

90 / 162

91 / 162

92 / 162

93 / 162

94 / 162

95 / 162

96 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Rico Gafford is called for pass interference on a pass intended for Green Bay Packers' J'Mon Moore during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

97 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Damon Webb breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Byrd during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

98 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Luke Falk throws during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

99 / 162

Green Bay Packers' DeShone Kizer throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

100 / 162

Tennessee Titans' Kalan Reed breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers' J'Mon Moore during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

101 / 162

Green Bay Packers' DeShone Kizer throws under pressure during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

102 / 162

103 / 162

104 / 162

105 / 162

106 / 162

107 / 162

108 / 162

109 / 162

110 / 162

111 / 162

112 / 162

113 / 162

114 / 162

115 / 162

116 / 162

117 / 162

118 / 162

119 / 162

120 / 162

121 / 162

122 / 162

123 / 162

124 / 162

125 / 162

126 / 162

127 / 162

128 / 162

129 / 162

130 / 162

131 / 162

132 / 162

133 / 162

134 / 162

135 / 162

136 / 162

137 / 162

138 / 162

139 / 162

140 / 162

141 / 162

142 / 162

143 / 162

144 / 162

145 / 162

146 / 162

147 / 162

148 / 162

149 / 162

150 / 162

151 / 162

152 / 162

153 / 162

154 / 162

155 / 162

156 / 162

157 / 162

158 / 162

159 / 162

160 / 162

161 / 162

162 / 162

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

1 / 105

2 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

3 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

4 / 105

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers talks to Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

5 / 105

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers talks to Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

6 / 105

Fans play a game outside Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

7 / 105

Fans pose for a picture outside Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

8 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

9 / 105

A fan smiles as he tailgates outside Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

10 / 105

Fans line up outside Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

11 / 105

12 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

13 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

14 / 105

Fans line up outside Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

15 / 105

Fans make their way to Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

16 / 105

A band plays outside Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

17 / 105

Justin Flock and daughter Brinley take a selfie outside Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

18 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

19 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

20 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

21 / 105

A fan runs before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

22 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

23 / 105

24 / 105

Fans make their way to Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

25 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

26 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

27 / 105

Fans make their way to Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

28 / 105

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel watches his team warm up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

29 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

30 / 105

Green Bay Packers' Tim Boyle warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

31 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

32 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

33 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Rico Gafford warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

34 / 105

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel watches before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

35 / 105

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers watches warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

36 / 105

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers watches warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

37 / 105

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers watches warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

38 / 105

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers watches warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

39 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Blaine Gabbert warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

40 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

41 / 105

Lambeau Field is seen before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

42 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

43 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Malcolm Butler warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

44 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

45 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Austin Barnard warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

46 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

47 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Malcolm Butler warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

48 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Dion Lewis warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

49 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Dion Lewis warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

50 / 105

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel watches before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

51 / 105

Tennessee Titans' Dion Lewis warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)