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Admittedly, this is not exactly the story that you want to be reading right before the first playoff game in nearly a decade, but we can’t ignore this story either.
Last week Ian Rapoport reported that the Titans could move on from Mike Mularkey with a loss to the Jaguars. He mentioned that a playoff berth wouldn’t necessarily guarantee him sticking around either. The Titans of course won that game against Jacksonville and will take on the Chiefs today in the opening round of the playoffs.
Today, he’s sticking with his report. New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is mentioned once again.
The #Titans are in the playoffs, but coach Mike Mularkey’s job is not safe. Sources say a loss could end his tenure, as the team prepares for a run at #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels. Big game today with multiple ramifications.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2018
If you’re not sold on your head coach, winning one football game shouldn’t suddenly change your mind. As Rapoport said last week, the frustrations stem from the lack of development from Marcus Mariota. He’s a different player than he was last year, taking a few steps back as a passer.
It’s a fascinating dynamic here. On the one hand, you’ve made the playoffs just two years removed from owning the first overall pick in the draft. On the other hand, you did it on potentially the easiest schedule you will ever see, without key players like J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson and Andrew Luck on the field for AFC South play. There are real issues that aren’t all that difficult to see.
Can you fire a coach that just made the playoffs with your organization for the first time since 2008? I guess you could, but it would be a surprise to me.
Anyways, let’s not get too caught up in this. The Titans are in the playoffs today and they deserve your full attention and support. We can figure all this out later.