Rip Marcus Mariota — but would you trade him?

SAN DIEGO — Every time Marcus Mariota made a big play Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium, a roar bubbled from a throng of family members, friends and well wishers from Hawaii that he said numbered in the “hundreds.”

They cheered often, even in a 43-35 Tennessee Titans loss to San Diego that justifiably can be pinned on Mariota. Three turnovers for 17 points in an eight-point loss, it’s easy math. He’s an easy target in the first place.

But before we go through another round of “What’s Wrong with Marcus?” this week in Nashville, I’d like to ask a different question: Which current NFL quarterbacks would you trade him for right now?

I can tell you that my list continues to get smaller, and that the latest Mariota appearance did nothing to expand it. The story of the 2016 season, for a team that now sits 4-5 with Green Bay visiting Sunday, may be a division race lost on games — Minnesota, Oakland, Indianapolis, San Diego — featuring fatal Mariota turnovers.

But I’d advise sticking around for the story of 2017 and 2018 and beyond, starring a guy who already is making big plays at age 23 with a modest receiving corps and who will have more ammunition then. More ammo and more experience and, based on his approach, more expertise at his craft.

I wouldn’t call this season’s story wrapped up, either — for the Titans or Mariota. And no, I was not one of those folks wearing a Mariota T-shirt and screaming his name from the Qualcomm stands Sunday. But I did do more shaking my head in the press box at outstanding Mariota throws Sunday than at the killers.

To repeat: He’ll never totally shake this. He’s a playmaker by nature. Witness how he responded to his first pick — on which the Chargers crossed him up and basically baited him into a loft to tight end Delanie Walker that was caught by a waiting Casey Hayward.

His next pass was risky, into a tight space, and it was complete along with the other six passes he threw on a 75-yard touchdown drive that took 78 seconds.

“Marcus has a lot of poise, man, I love him,” Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo said after the game. “He doesn’t get rattled. He had some turnovers today, but he still stepped right back in that huddle and continued to put points on the board and continued to lead that offense. I love that about him.”

CHARGERS 43, TITANS 35

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There’s no excusing Mariota’s mistakes, and he didn’t try, taking the blame as he always does when things go wrong. Sunday was another decision-making setback amid a playmaking bonanza — 313 yards, three passing touchdowns, one rushing — after a four-week stretch featuring 10 touchdown passes and one pick.

Titans coach Mike Mularkey said receiver Kendall Wright should have done a better job with his route on the pick six that basically ended the game, but Mariota can’t throw that ball. And if he can’t figure out a way to stop fumbling, he at least has to work on not fumbling for touchdowns.

It’s like he’s a point guard making perfect bounce passes for layups. Just, you know, to the other team.

So have at him. But first, what’s your list? Here’s mine: Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers. I would trade Mariota for them, even though Brady and Rodgers don’t have a lot of years left.

Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan would be on my “maybe” list (which is a total cop-out, but this was my idea, so deal with it).

I’ll pass on Philip Rivers and Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger, based on age and/or crumbling bodies. And I’ll hold off for now on the (Carson) Wentz Wagon, the (Dak) Prescott Parade and everyone else.

That’s not saying Mariota is better than any of those players listed. That’s based on upside that I believe is substantial and on progress that I believe is happening even amid the accidental explosions.

Asked about playing in front of all those people he cares about, Mariota said: “It was special.”

It was an interesting word to use after such a rotten result. But that was quite a throng. And a lot of what they saw from Mariota was worthy of the same word.

Follow Joe Rexrode on Twitter @joerexrode.