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The Tennessee Titans have made it clear that Jake Locker is their quarterback for the ensuing years. However, why did they sign Ryan Fitzpatrick to a two-year, $6.5 million contract? Obviously, the Titans are hoping Fitzpatrick provides quality competition in camp for Locker. However, is it possible that he could actually win the starting job?
Many fans would believe Tennessee would never take the reins away from Locker. However, look no further than the Seattle Seahawks from last season. Everyone expected Matt Flynn to be the starter, but the team drafted Russell Wilson to provide competition. Wilson outplayed the other quarterbacks and the rest is history.
Fitzpatrick is a proven starting quarterback in the NFL. He has completed at least 3,000 yards and thrown for at least 23 touchdowns the past three seasons. He also has completed at least 60 percent of his passes over the last two years.
Locker, on the other hand, has struggled mightily in his first two seasons. Granted, he has only appeared in 16 games in two years, but he has shown he still has plenty to learn. The Titans are okay with that because they believe he has the potential to turn into a top-notch quarterback one day. However, the fans are not interested so much in the future as they would prefer to win now. If Fitzpatrick outperforms Locker in training camp then Tennessee will have no choice but to name him the starter.
Assuming Locker is not dominant in training camp, I believe Fitzpatrick would give the Titans a better chance to win in 2013. Clearly, the coaching staff has been preparing all offseason for Locker to be the starter but things change. Sudden change at the quarterback position is not always a bad thing, just ask the Seahawks.
