Matt Hasselbeck has been a solid player and a good soldier during his time with the Tennessee Titans, but that time is now over, as he was cut by the team on Monday.
According to ESPN.com, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Titans have cut the quarterback and he will now sign with the Indianapolis Colts to serve as backup to Andrew Luck, after his backup, Drew Stanton, moved to Arizona. The Titans then brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick to serve as the new backup for Jake Locker.
The 37-year-old started games for the Titans before Locker took over and after two seasons with the team he threw for 3,571 yards in 2011 and now has 34,517 yards with 201 touchdowns and 147 interceptions in 14 seasons in the NFL. The quarterback was set to make a base salary of $5.5 million next season and the team cut him for cap relief.
With the Colts, Hasselbeck will likely only see action of Andrew Luck gets injured. The Titans have brought in a legitimate quarterback to compete with Locker and even if he isn't expected to start, Fitzpatrick could show himself and get his chance if Locker struggles.
Fitzpatrick spent the past two seasons as the starter in Buffalo with mixed results and after signing a six-year, $59 million contract extension in October of 2011, the team has not played well and neither has the quarterback. Over his time in Buffalo he went 20-33 as a starter and passed for 80 touchdowns and 64 interceptions, including 16 last season.
He could compete with Locker for playing time and the Titans could push him into the starting role if the team falters early in the year. Fitzpatrick was cut by the Bills last week after the team decided it did not want to pay him that much money anymore and now he will join a former eighth overall pick in 2011 with Locker.
Locker has 2,176 yards and 10 touchdowns last season with 11 interceptions while competing over 55 percent of his passes. The Titans were mediocre on offense last season and ranked 22nd in passing yards per game with just 207.
From Scouts Inc. on Fitzpatrick:
"Fitzpatrick has been a streaky performer since becoming Buffalo's starter in 2010. He can be one of the more proficient passers in the league, but he also forces the ball into coverage at times. He has adequate size and arm strength, and he possesses excellent vision, which allows him to find second and third options downfield. He can improvise and make plays with his legs, but he's at his best operating from the pocket. Fitzpatrick is a crafty veteran who has likely hit his ceiling."
