The Tennessee Titans have announced they will exercise their fifth-year option on quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The move keeps Mariota under contract through the 2019 season.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson made the announcement ahead of the May 3 deadline to declare a fifth-year option for players drafted in 2015.
The Titans selected the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner from Oregon with the second overall pick in the 2015 draft. Mariota has made 42 regular-season starts over the last three years and has completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 9,476 yards with 58 touchdowns and 34 interceptions.
He threw 13 touchdown passes with a career-high 15 interceptions last season but also led the Titans to their first playoff victory since January 2004 .
Patriots tight end grabs share of 4-legged Gronkowski
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rob Gronkowski has a stake in a big namesake.
The New England Patriots tight end has entered a partnership deal with Phoenix Thoroughbreds for Gronkowski, the star 3-year-old colt set to run in the Kentucky Derby on May 5. The four-legged Gronkowski is 3 for 3 this year.
“This horse is a winner and I love a winner,” Gronkowski said Wednesday. “When I heard about the racehorse being named after me, I started watching and got really stoked when he started winning. He’s won his last three and is now headed to the Derby. I’m all in: Welcome to the Gronk family, Gronkowski the Horse!”
Hester, Forte to retire with Bears
CHICAGO — Record-setting return specialist Devin Hester and running back Matt Forte will sign one-day contracts with the Chicago Bears and retire as members of the organization where they starred.
The team says they will make it official at a ceremony on Monday. Forte had already announced he would retire as a member of the Bears. Both players spent their first eight seasons in Chicago.
