Tennessee Titans decline Jake Locker’s fifth-year option
By Danny Helms
Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
After being selected eighth overall in 2011, Jake Locker has been tightrope walking the thin line between mediocrity and bust. As of recent, it has been reported that the Tennessee Titans have declined the quarterbacks fifth-year option. USA Today sports writer Jim Wyatt explains:
"“The Titans won’t exercise the fifth-year option on Jake Locker’s contract, which means this season the quarterback will be playing for his future in Tennessee.”"
Tennessee can either use their franchise tag on Locker for 2015, or re-sign him to a new deal. Jim Wyatt also explained the scenario of Tennessee using their franchise tag on Locker:
"“The franchise tag is a one-year deal that guarantees the player the average of the five largest current-year salaries at his position. The transition tag, also a one-year deal, pays the average of the 10 largest prior-year salaries at his position.”"
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Locker’s future in Tennessee isn’t necessarily over, but this may be a sign of things to come. After all, Tennessee has the 11th overall pick in this years draft. Whether or not they decide use that pick on a quarterback remains to be seen. However, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them snag a Teddy Bridgewater or Johnny Manziel, assuming of course they fell to 11.
Since being drafted in 2011, Locker has only started 23 games out of a possible 48. Aside from injuries, Locker’s numbers are hardly that of a number eight overall pick. Over his 3 year career, he has thrown 22 touchdowns to go along with 15 interceptions, totaling only 3,974 yards.
Again, his career in Tennessee isn’t over, but it’s certainly safe to assume that if Locker continues to play at this level, his days as a Titan are numbered.