Tennessee Titans sign Charlie Whitehurst

Oct 20, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (6) warms up before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans have signed QB Charlie Whitehurst to a two-year deal worth up to $8 million, Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt reports. 

Whitehurst has spent the past two seasons in San Diego backing up Philip Rivers. Before that, Whitehurst was a spot starter for the Seahawks. He has thrown for 805 yards, with three touchdowns and four picks in his NFL career.

Whitehurst must have made quite the glowing impression on Ken Wisenhunt in San Diego. While Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn’t great in replacing oft-injured starter Jake Locker last season, Whitehurst presents no real upgrade at backup QB. Also, he was thought to be cheaper than Fitzpatrick, but with Whitehurst’s new contract, he’ll make almost as Josh McCown will in 2014.

With Kellen Clemens in as the new backup in San Diego coming off a solid 2013 season, isn’t the logical move for Fitzpatrick to head to St. Louis to backup Sam Bradford? That would, after all, form an official backup QB triangle between San Diego, Tennessee and St. Louis.

With a modest selection of weapons in Tennessee, it’s hard to like the Whitehurst move right now. If Locker stays healthy, he’s an overpaid clipboard holder. If he doesn’t, he’s a spot starter with not enough talent around him to succeed.