How high is Cole McDonald’s ceiling with the Titans?

What can Cole McDonald be as a pro?

Cole McDonald can be the player that the Tennessee Titans seems to be on an eternal quest to find– a high-quality backup quarterback. Someone that you would rather not start on Week One, but a “Nick Foles on the Eagles” type who can come in and do some serious damage.

With the obvious exception of last season, the Titans have been on the hunt for a solid backup option at quarterback for what feels like an eternity. Before the glory days of Ryan Tannehill, we were counting on the likes of Blaine Gabbert, Matt Cassel, Zach Mettenberger and 14 passes from Alex Tanney in 2015. But the struggle for a solid safety net could end with McDonald on the sideline.

For what McDonald lacks coming into the NFL in decision making and accuracy, he more than makes up for with his innate abilities as a playmaker. His skill as a deep ball passer makes him a threat no matter what else is wrong with his game, as does his ability as a runner. Both of those skills, in a play-action heavy Titans offense, make him an excellent candidate to run the Tennessee offense in a pinch.

But the problem for the Titans is, if you play quarterback at a high enough level, you’re going to get a chance to start somewhere in the league. Go back to Nick Foles for example, two solid seasons in Philidelphia as the Eagles’ emergency starter and the Jacksonville Jaguars are lining up to throw handfuls of money in his direction.

McDonald isn’t there yet. And with Ryan Tannehill under contract for the next four years, the rookie may never get the chance to prove his mettle as a starter in Tennessee. But what he can be, so long as he can work out the issues in his game, is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league– and maybe, just maybe, a starting quarterback at some point down the line.