The Tennessee Titans may not be picking up the fifth-year option on Jake Locker's contract, but that does not mean the team has lost faith in the quarterback as a starting player. Locker is returning from a Lisfranc injury and questions have risen regarding the Titans' commitment to him in the long-term. Clearly prepared to move on, Locker is being given a one-year audition to keep his starting spot.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt has full confidence Locker will rise to the occasion this upcoming season, but that does not mean Tennessee is not exploring options for the future. Tennessee is not likely to pick up the final year of Locker's contract, meaning he has 2014 to earn an extension or improve his value before free agency. With the future of the quarterback position in question for Tennessee, will the team draft someone in this year's deep class?
"You always have to be prepared because you never know what can happen," Whisenhunt said, via The Tennessean. "If there is an opportunity in this draft where you have a guy you think is really good, then you have to look at it. But more importantly you have to look at 2-3 years down the road. It is about finding out about these guys. And then, if you don't have them on your team, you know about them. And if something happens down the road you'll have an important piece."
The Titans first brought on speculation for Locker's future by signing Charlie Whitehurst, someone Whisenhunt had experience with in San Diego. The head coach simply said that the team was building depth while Locker rehabbed his recent injury. 2-3 years down the road, Whitehurst will not be an option and neither will Locker by the sounds of it.
The team will not draft someone early. Tenneesee has other needs to meet before grabbing another quarterback. However, they could be a solid option for someone like Aaron Murray or AJ McCarron, a quarterback not ready to start immediately, but could be a solid player with a year or two to develop. Maintaining Locker as the starter for the next year would give Murray or McCarron that option. Whisenhunt is still confident that Locker can make a different in 2014.
"I feel great about Jake," Whisenhunt said. "That position, there is so much intangible value to certain things that you do, and Jake has those. The guys love him, the ways he works ... To me it's a good indication of how he is going to be as a player."