Prior to the start of the 2018 season, there wasn't a question of if the Tennessee Titans would offer quarterback Marcus Mariota a contract extension. There was only the question of when the extension would happen.

But after a season that was beset by injuries and career low numbers, there's no longer a guarantee that Mariota is the quarterback of the future for the Titans.

Tennessee picked up Mariota's fifth year option last April, which means he's the guy for the Titans in 2019. However, most folks assumed an extension would happen before the 2019 season. As it stands, it looks like 2019 will be a "prove it" year for Mariota.

It's never been tougher to find a franchise quarterback in the NFL. So when a team finds a quarterback that somewhat looks the part, it's usually best to work out a long term deal.

In the case of Mariota, the Titans have to decide whether or not he's the guy who can lead the franchise to the playoffs on a yearly basis. Mariota is only 25, so it would certainly be ideal for the Titans if the former Oregon signal caller is the long term answer in Nashville.

Here are four things I think we need to see from Mariota in 2019 that will make the Titans' decision a bit easier.

4 things we need to see from Marcus Mariota that would warrant a contract extension —>>>

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Stay healthy

This is the first and most obvious thing we need to see from Mariota in 2019.

Over the course of Mariota's four year NFL career, he's missed eight games. He's also left seven games early. That's nearly an entire season of football for Mariota that's been impacted by injuries.

Now, some of those injuries could be considered "freak injuries". A broken leg and a nerve injury aren't exactly things you see coming. But at the same time, it seems like each year it's always something with Mariota.

Playing all 16 games in 2019, something Mariota's never done before, would go a long way in proving to the Titans that he's leaving his injury woes in the past.

Injuries are going to happen, but they shouldn't happen on a routine basis. Players like Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady have enjoyed long careers in the NFL because they've either been incredibly durable or they've fought through injuries and played. Mariota needs to mirror those players if he wants to be a Titan for a long time.

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The face of the franchise

Aaron Rodgers is the face of the Green Bay Packers. Cam Newton is the face of the Carolina Panthers. Patrick Mahomes is the face of the Kansas City Chiefs.

You get where I'm going with this.

It could be argued that left tackle Taylor Lewan is the face of the Titans. And that's not exactly a good thing (not because it's Lewan, but because it's the left tackle).

Marcus Mariota is an incredibly talented player and genuinely good person. I think cameras could secretly follow Mariota around for a month and never find anything controversial. He's a wholesome role model for kids across the state of Tennessee.

But it feels like there's a disconnect between Mariota and fans. He isn't the face of the franchise like Newton is in Carolina. The closest we've seen Mariota come to really connecting with fans on a deeper than surface level was in 2017 when he was present for some Preds playoff games with his offensive line. And even then, it felt a bit forced from Mariota.

Mariota needs to find a way to enhance his brand and become the face of the Titans. It won't help his numbers on-the-field, but it will help him lock down a contract extension. And it will make fans feel better about an extension.

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Pro-Bowl

One sure fire way to prove to the Titans he deserves an extension would be for Mariota to reach his first career Pro-Bowl in 2019.

There's absolutely no way the Titans would forego giving Mariota an extension if he reaches the Pro-Bowl next season.

But for that to happen, Mariota has a lot of work to do. He's never passed for more than 3,500 yards in his career.

Of course, a big reason that Mariota has struggled to find consistency is because there's been a revolving door at offensive coordinator for the Titans. That will once again be the case in 2019 with Matt LaFleur taking the head coaching job in Green Bay.

But 2019 will be a new season. And while I don't envision Mariota reaching the Pro-Bowl on a yearly basis, I do think he has the talent to occasionally earn a trip to the NFL's annual all star game.

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

10 wins/division title/home playoff game

The biggest thing that Mariota can do for the Titans is help the team reach its goals.

For now, the goal for the Titans should be to win 10 games a year (which they haven't accomplished since 2008), win the division (last achieved in 2008) and host a home playoff game (you guessed it, 2008).

Essentially, the Titans want Mariota to help them achieve sustainable success. Winning the division should be the goal each and every season. Obviously it's not going to happen every year, thanks to the parity of the NFL. But the Titans should constantly be in the conversation.

If the Titans are able to win at least 10 games in 2019, win the division and host a home playoff game, I think an extension would then just be a formality.

The absolute best way for Mariota to prove that he deserves to be in Nashville long term is to deliver a season to remember in 2019.

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports