Tennessee Titans: Time to trade Zach Mettenberger

For the first time in years, the Tennessee Titans enter the season with their quarterback position solidified.

Or do they?

Yes, the Titans have found their quarterback of the future in Marcus Mariota, but they also found out that backup qb Zach Mettenberger is not the answer, and it’s time to see what they can get for him while he still has value.

Mettenberger has been arguably the most frustrating player on the Titans’ roster, and that’s saying something for a team that has lost 27 of their last 32 games.

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For two straight years he has displayed poise, confidence, and a cannon for an arm in Tennessee’s preseason games, only to fold when asked to step in and lead the team when the games count.

And I’m not being facetious, Mettenberger has literally folded at every opportunity, going 0-10 in ten career starts.

Head coach Mike Mularkey has seen more than a sample size of the qb’s work over the last two seasons, and it’s hard to imagine him feeling confident going into this season with Mettenberger as his number 2 guy.

Especially with Mariota missing four games last year.

With free agency set to start a week from today, now would be the perfect time to shop the 3rd year qb out of LSU.

Mettenberger is a 6’5, prototypical pocket passing qb. He can and will make all of the throws, and he’s only 24 years old. He’s started games in the league, and has found some success…even if it has been few and far between.

Translation…he is light years ahead of any of this year’s qb draft prospects.

Several teams (Dallas, San Francisco, Cleveland, Houston, St. Louis, Washington) are unsettled at their backup qb position, and would love to get their hands on a player like Mettenbenger. And in fairness, a change of scenery and a new offense could also revive the Mett Show.

In today’s qb starved NFL, the asking price for Mettenberger could be better than the 6th round pick that Tennessee invested in him in 2014. With so many holes to fill, new general manager Jon Robinson could use all of the picks that he can get his hands on.

Mettenberger is not a bad quarterback. He’s just a bad fit in Tennessee. It was evident that he lost his confidence toward the end of the season, and was ultimately yanked in the season finale.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a third opportunity.

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Alex Tanney, who replaced Mettenberger in said finale, should be given the first crack at the number 2 job. An older veteran qb would have been brought in regardless this offseason. He can compete with Tanney.

The Mett Show is over in Nashville, but his stock still has value. It only makes sense for Tennessee to sell high…while they still can.

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