The Tennessee Titans selected Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, to no one’s surprise. The move, however, isn’t seen in a favorable light by everyone, especially Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
Before the draft, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Mettenberger would ask for a trade if Tennessee did select Mariota, as Pat McManamon relayed on Twitter:
So @mortreport says Mettenberger will ask for trade if Titans take Mariota. Hmm … would #Browns get in that action? #CLEpick
— PatMcManamon (@PatMcManamon) May 1, 2015
This report shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Mettenberger has been preparing himself as the team’s starter this offseason, even organizing workouts with receivers away from team facilities.
Teammate Kendall Wright was one of the receivers who spent time with Mettenberger during those workouts, and he expressed respect for the way the quarterback was taking ownership:
“As of right now, my quarterback, and everybody else’s quarterback for the Titans, is Zach Mettenberger,” Wright said, according to The Tennessean. “Jameis Winston, or Marcus Mariota, or Philip Rivers or whoever, they didn’t text me and tell me to come down here. Zach did. So Zach Mettenberger is the quarterback, he is the guy, and that is who I am following right now.
After Thursday night, it seems clear Wright and the rest of Tennessee’s receivers will be following a new leader in 2015.
Mettenberger showed promise last year as a starter when he got the chance, throwing for 1,412 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Many analysts have been high on his potential, and legendary draft guru Greg Cosell went so far as to say he’d take Mettenberger over Jameis Winston and Mariota.
Tennessee might not be willing to give up such a valuable asset. After all, young quarterbacks who are apt to run a lot tend to injure themselves quite frequently, and having a capable backup would be just smart planning.
That said, if the Titans can land a mid-to late-round pick for the services of Mettenberger, then it might be worth it to bolster other areas of the roster for a more complete overall team.
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