Should Tennessee Titans Look Quarterback In 2014 NFL Draft?

Nov 10, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Russell Allen (50) during the first half at LP Field. The Jaguars beat the Titans 29-27. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

The question I’ve seen spring up quite frequently lately is if the Tennessee Titans should take a quarterback in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft. There are valid arguments to both sides of the story and one could give an honest, fact driven argument for either side. Personally, I think a lot of it will be determined on whether or not Mike Munchak is still the head coach at the end of the year or not.

However, if I was to pick right now, with my gut…I would be looking new QB for the 2014 season and moving forward.

My reasoning has nothing to do with Jake Locker’s ability. It has nothing to do with Locker’s off-field attitude, personality, or his stature as a leader for this team. It does, however, have everything to do with his ability to simply stay on the field of play.

We all know Locker’s numbers of when he has been on and off the field of play, so I’m not going to bore you with them. What I am going to do is make a very clear, declarative statement that most if not all NFL fans could and should agree with.

If your quarterback, the leader of your franchise and backbone of your offense, cannot stay on the field consistently, then there is no reason to keep him or pay for him.

Look across the NFL and see other QB’s in danger of the same treatment, quarterbacks might I add, that have played longer, more often, and had more success than Locker has had. Ben Roethlisberger and Jay Cutler are the two that immediately come to my mind. Both have come into scrutiny of whether or not they deserve the pay they are getting to be starters following multiple injuries that have decreased their playing time. Both of which, have much better resumes than Locker might I add.

No franchise can be successful when the quarterback they drafted to start for hem goes down and goes down often. We have seen it time and time again, why is Locker’s case any different? Yes, the guy is young and hasn’t maybe gotten the rightful chance he deserves. However, as an organization, the Titans can’t sit around and wait any longer, especially with his contract coming to an end and fans demanding more from the team.

On top of all of the things going against Locker already, he has to compete with what may be one of the most talented quarterback classes we have seen in a long time and that we may not see again for a while. How can the Titans say no to a young gun that has potential to step up right away with the weapons the Titans currently have on offense? Joshua Huffman pointed one of them out here.

If Munchak does indeed lose his job, then I guarantee the Titans will go QB in the first round. I have no doubt in my mind that such a thing will happen. Locker will be out and searching for another team to pick him up. I hate to see it, especially because I think Locker is a great guy who has potential and the leadership every team wants out of their quarterback, but he just can’t stay healthy.

At the end of the day, if you can’t play and do what you were brought in and paid to do, then you’re out. That’s just business, that’s just the NFL. Locker is susceptible to the business that is the NFL, just like every other quarterback in the league.