It's no secret that Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, a top 10 draft pick in 2011, has failed to live up to expectations. In 29 career games, Locker is completing just 57.6 percent of his passes and has thrown 27 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. The Titans are just 10-19 in games with Locker under center.
Unsurprisingly, Titans head coach Ken Whisenthunt benched Locker two months ago. Now, Whisenhunt is hoping Locker can make a successful comeback. Rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger is out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. Locker is likely to get the starting nod against the New York Jets this weekend. The team declined his 2015 option, meaning that Locker is also likely playing for a job.
"It's an opportunity to play. Jake wants that," Whisenhunt said to The Tennessean. "(He just needs to) prepare the best he can and do the best job he can. I think that's the way he'll look at it. He's a good pro."
Locker has entered Tennessee's last two games because of injuries to Mettenberger. Playing with a significant disadvantage both times, Locker has completed 15 of 23 passes for 172 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in that span.
"He's been in a tough situation, coming in like that," Whisenhunt said. "He did some good things (Sunday). He moved around in the pocket well, ran with the ball a couple of times. On the one interception, he was trying to make a play at the end of the game and fit one in to Delanie (Walker)."
Locker desperately needs to play well in these remaining games to set himself up for a backup job as he enters free agency. Locker's physical tools will always be enticing to coaches, but at this point he hasn't shown anything to suggest he can be a consistent starting quarterback at the NFL level.
