Titans release veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans have released veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, a move buying the team more cap space after they couldn't work out an agreement to trim his $5.5 million salary for 2013.
Hasselbeck, 37, spent the past two seasons with Tennessee, leading the Titans to a 9-7 record and just missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2011 in coach Mike Munchak's debut season coming off the NFL lockout. Hasselbeck threw for 3,571 yards, the fourth-best passing season in the team's history and the third highest of his career.
But the Titans used the No. 8 draft selection overall in 2011 on Jake Locker, and they named him their starter for 2012. Hasselbeck still started five straight games after Locker hurt his left shoulder. The 14-year veteran has 34,517 yards passing for his career with 201 touchdowns. Due to count $7.5 million against the salary cap made him too pricey to keep for a team still needing help on the defensive line and at linebacker.
General manager Ruston Webster thanked Hasselbeck for the past two years.
"He was an important part of the transition process," Webster said. "He was a pro at every turn, and he provided an example to the rest of the team. I know that we are a better team for his being here and we wish him the best."
The Titans had been trying to work out a new deal with Hasselbeck, who wound up playing in eight games last season throwing for 1,367 yards with seven touchdowns. They have Rusty Smith and Nathan Enderle currently on the roster at quarterback, and Smith has one start in his three seasons with Tennessee. But the Titans may be going in a new direction.
A person familiar with the situation said former Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has met with officials from both the Titans and the Cincinnati Bengals at his offseason home in Arizona where the NFL's annual meetings are being held in Phoenix. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither team have publically announced meeting with Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick is out of work after being cut by the Bills last week, on the first day of the NFL's free agency period, and a day before the team was due to pay him a $3 million bonus. The Bills made the decision to cut Fitzpatrick after failing to get the quarterback to restructure the five years left on the six-year, $59 million contract he signed in October 2011.
He spent four seasons in Buffalo, and most of the past three as the Bills starter. He finished with a 20-33 record, and took part of the blame for the team's three consecutive losing seasons. He was mostly knocked for failing to shed his inconsistencies. Though Fitzpatrick finished with 80 touchdowns in 55 games with the Bills, he also threw 64 interceptions, including a career-word 23 in 2011.
Fitzpatrick has proven to be a more than capable backup during his eight-year career. That's exactly what the Titans now need for Locker who will be going into his third season with former Buffalo guard Andy Levitre, signed last week, helping protect him.
Selected by St. Louis in the seventh round of the 2005 draft out of Harvard, Fitzpatrick spent two seasons with the Rams. He then signed with Cincinnati, where he got his first true shot at starting experience in 2008. Fitzpatrick went 4-6-1 as a starter with the Bengals, in taking over after Carson Palmer sustained a season-ending elbow injury.
Hasselbeck, who turns 38, in September, could be an attractive backup himself if he still wants to play.
The Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers are one team likely looking for an experienced backup quarterback to Colin Kaepernick after trading 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith to Kansas City at the start of free agency.
Hasselbeck, 37, spent the past two seasons with Tennessee, leading the Titans to a 9-7 record and just missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2011 in coach Mike Munchak's debut season coming off the NFL lockout. Hasselbeck threw for 3,571 yards, the fourth-best passing season in the team's history and the third highest of his career.
But the Titans used the No. 8 draft selection overall in 2011 on Jake Locker, and they named him their starter for 2012. Hasselbeck still started five straight games after Locker hurt his left shoulder. The 14-year veteran has 34,517 yards passing for his career with 201 touchdowns. Due to count $7.5 million against the salary cap made him too pricey to keep for a team still needing help on the defensive line and at linebacker.
General manager Ruston Webster thanked Hasselbeck for the past two years.
"He was an important part of the transition process," Webster said. "He was a pro at every turn, and he provided an example to the rest of the team. I know that we are a better team for his being here and we wish him the best."
The Titans had been trying to work out a new deal with Hasselbeck, who wound up playing in eight games last season throwing for 1,367 yards with seven touchdowns. They have Rusty Smith and Nathan Enderle currently on the roster at quarterback, and Smith has one start in his three seasons with Tennessee. But the Titans may be going in a new direction.
A person familiar with the situation said former Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has met with officials from both the Titans and the Cincinnati Bengals at his offseason home in Arizona where the NFL's annual meetings are being held in Phoenix. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither team have publically announced meeting with Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick is out of work after being cut by the Bills last week, on the first day of the NFL's free agency period, and a day before the team was due to pay him a $3 million bonus. The Bills made the decision to cut Fitzpatrick after failing to get the quarterback to restructure the five years left on the six-year, $59 million contract he signed in October 2011.
He spent four seasons in Buffalo, and most of the past three as the Bills starter. He finished with a 20-33 record, and took part of the blame for the team's three consecutive losing seasons. He was mostly knocked for failing to shed his inconsistencies. Though Fitzpatrick finished with 80 touchdowns in 55 games with the Bills, he also threw 64 interceptions, including a career-word 23 in 2011.
Fitzpatrick has proven to be a more than capable backup during his eight-year career. That's exactly what the Titans now need for Locker who will be going into his third season with former Buffalo guard Andy Levitre, signed last week, helping protect him.
Selected by St. Louis in the seventh round of the 2005 draft out of Harvard, Fitzpatrick spent two seasons with the Rams. He then signed with Cincinnati, where he got his first true shot at starting experience in 2008. Fitzpatrick went 4-6-1 as a starter with the Bengals, in taking over after Carson Palmer sustained a season-ending elbow injury.
Hasselbeck, who turns 38, in September, could be an attractive backup himself if he still wants to play.
The Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers are one team likely looking for an experienced backup quarterback to Colin Kaepernick after trading 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith to Kansas City at the start of free agency.
I would love to see Mat back with the Seahawks as a back-up QB. I don't think the 'Hawks are strong or even safe with the current QB. Matt would bring experience, team leadership, the ability to step up at a moment's notice and lead on the field. He's also a fan favorite and a great guy.
You don't have to worry about Matt getting hurt anymore ........... I hear the next thing they are going to do is put shock collars on defensive players so they won't hurt the quarterback. The officials can use their zappers when needed. Ya ...... I think we're on to sumthun.
Just call it a career Matt. What's the point of risking a nasty injury... your body ain't what it was 10 years ago. But, thanks for the memories. You should have a ring if it weren't for some horrible calls by the refs against the Steelers, not to mention a stupid drop by J. Stevens, which was a potential game changer.
Hasselbeck did the Hawks well. Everyone retires eventually. ONLY QB to take us to the SB.... (until after this year... )
He wouldn't come back to Seattle. He and Carroll didn't see eye to eye. Hasselbeck was Holmgrens boy. He no longer fits the team and imo can't teach Russell anything. He's moved on. Remember him for what he's done, let him try to do some more elsewhere.
Seahawks will likely try to get rid of Flynn to free up salary cap money. Good time to bring back Hasslebeck. He's  solid, very experienced and beloved in Seattle. Would be a great backup QB, if we wanted to come back.
@vikingsmash , no dice. He's signing with Indy.
I'd have mixed feelings seeing him play for SF. Considering their cap, I suspect he probably would not sign there, but the interest to play for a winner might change Matt's mind to take less.
Put that name and the number 8 in the ring of honor...stat.
He is a total, classless jerk. Glad to see him unemployed, not that it will hurt him much.Â
Back in like '06 or '07 the Seahawks held a public scrimmage at the Seattle Center. Me and a buddy went and we had front row seats on the Seahawks side. When the team arrived Shaun Alexander and Hasslebeck walked over to the sideline. Alexander acknowledged the fans while Matt ignored everyone. There was a little boy about 5 who was obviously a big fan of Matt's. He was screamming to get Matt's attention and Matt actually brushed him off. Shaun see this went over and gave the little boy a high five.Â
Ever since I have had zero respect for that jerk. As far as I am concerned he got what he deserved.
@seattleemt Six years? Really?
Man, I'd hate to run into you at a family reunion.
@wysoumible
LOL!!! I would actually be just like Seattleemt if I was in his position, but your comment was hilarious.Â
At 38 he coul probably just reture and sit on his pile of money. Not that he didn't deserve it.
Locker is relying on a Beav to protect him. Heh.
there's soon to be an opening on 'the view'
Avoid the NFC west Matt. I'd really hate to see the Seahawks defense end your career.
@Hachee_Bungwhy Oh gawsh, me too...tsk tsk!  ;)