As NFL free agency is set to kick off in mid-March, a number of NFL teams are reportedly interested in signing quarterback Marcus Mariota. The former Oregon standout just finished up his five-year stint with the Tennessee Titans and will enter free agency, along with a number of other top quarterback free agents.

With former longterm franchise quarterbacks Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, and Drew Brees all hitting the market this month, teams are looking at a number of scenarios, from drafting their new potential franchise quarterback or signing a free agent to as a backup that could compete for the starting job. With Mariota in that second group of quarterbacks, a number of teams have reportedly shown interest in the past weeks.

According to Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline, two teams have interest in the former Oregon quarterback right now.

"Keep this in the back of your mind – with all the uncertainty surrounding Tom Brady, the New England Patriots are showing interest in soon to be free agent quarterback Marcus Mariota," Pauline wrote. "I’m told the Indianapolis Colts have also shown interest in Mariota – just in case."

If Tom Brady decides to find a new franchise this offseason and doesn't reach terms with the Patriots, New England will have second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham on the roster, meaning they'll work to sign quarterback out of free agency. Though the Patriots could attempt to draft a new quarterback, New England would likely need to move up in the Draft, currently with the No. 23 pick in a draft that is seeing the top four quarterbacks move up into the top ten of draft boards.

In Indianapolis, the Colts and head coach Frank Reich have indicated that current starter Jacoby Brissett likely won't be the starter in 2020, meaning they'll look to free agency to fill the role. While Mariota is also considered a fringe starter or likely backup just like Brissett, the former Oregon quarterback would present a solid backup plan should the Colts not sign one of the top tier starting free-agent quarterbacks. Mariota could also act as a bridge should the Colts use their draft pick on their future franchise quarterback.

The big question facing Mariota though is if any teams will sign the former Oregon quarterback to be a starter or backup for the 2020 season.

CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani recently looked at the best available free agent quarterbacks and there's quite a few that will be in demand including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Dak Prescott and even Ryan Tannehill. One that didn't immediately stand out as a potential starter to Dajani though was Mariota.

"Mariota is expected to get some attention on the open market, but whether that's as a Day 1 starter or as a backup remains to be seen. He threw for 1,203 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions for the Titans before being benched for Tannehill this season. It ended up being the right decision, as Tennessee then won seven out of its last 10 games and made it all the way to the AFC Championship game," said Dajani.

"Mariota's rookie contract is up and it's very unlikely that the Titans will re-sign him, so he's free to explore greener pastures. The former No. 2 overall pick did have an incredible second year back in 2016, as he threw for 3,426 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but he was unable to build on those marks. In fact, he's thrown just 31 touchdowns over the last three seasons combined. Mariota definitely has potential, and it will be interesting to see which team decides to take a flier on him."

Despite the way his fifth season ended, Mariota still brings a good amount of value to the table. The Titans decided not to trade Mariota down the stretch of the season, using him sparingly in the final games of the regular season and on a handful of trick plays in the postseason. Though there is still a slight possibility Mariota could re-sign with the Titans, indications are that Ryan Tannehill is likely to get a new contract there, meaning it remains unlikely that Mariota's future will be in Tennessee.