The Tennessee Titans were expected to enter the 2019 campaign as one of the more promising teams in the NFL. However, the Titans have struggled, with quarterback Marcus Mariota leading Tennessee to a 1-2 record through the first three weeks of the regular season.

While not all of the blame should be placed on Mariota's shoulders — yet — the former No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick has most definitely underperformed since becoming a professional signal caller five seasons ago. Upon recently speaking with an NFL executive outside of Tennessee, Mike Sando of The Athletic uncovered at least one reason for Mariota's continues struggles.

“The familiar part appeared under the column for touchdown passes,” writes Sando. “Mariota had zero (vs. Jaguars on Thursday) for the 22nd time in 58 starts since entering the NFL in 2015. That’s seven more than any other quarterback over those four-plus seasons. It’s the most for any quarterback in his first 58 starts over the past 20 seasons. Mariota has 19 starts without a passing or rushing score, six more than any quarterback since he entered the league. The recently benched Eli Manning is next.”

While Mariota's individual numbers don't jump off the page, he has led the Titans to three consecutive 9-7 regular seasons in addition to winning a road playoff game only a few seasons ago.

“That might sum it all up,” the aforementioned NFL executive told Sando after watching the Titans lose to the rival Jacksonville Jaguars. “At the end of the day, you look at some of his numbers and they look OK, but they are not OK.”

The 1-2 Titans take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4.