Titans’ Munchak: Time for Locker to take charge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have done another quarterback shuffle, not that the moves impact Jake Locker.

Locker, who played at the University of Washington, is the Titans’ starter and while Tennessee signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, coach Mike Munchak said there is no quarterback competition. It’s Locker’s job and it’s time for him to take charge and show what he can do.

“He knows the challenge,” Munchak said while attending the NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix.

“It’s just him working hard now. I think we have the pieces around him that will help him be successful,” the coach said. “That’s all we can do. Now it’s a matter of letting it unfold with him coming into camp being the guy. Let him feel what it’s like. There’s no competition. It’s his ball, let him run with it and see what he can do.”

Locker played five games as a rookie and was named the starter for 2012. But he hurt his left, non-throwing shoulder in the opener, an injury that kept him out five straight games and limited him all season. He is 211 of 380 for 2,718 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 TDs in his career, including a 55.5 percent completion percentage.

Now Locker is going into his third season having had surgery in January to fix his shoulder, and the Titans have added a handful of free agents to improve the offense. After a disappointing 6-10 record last year, Munchak likely has to win to keep his job.

“For us, for me, it’s just stay healthy so we can see where he’s at,” Munchak said. “We feel really good about him. Obviously, we wouldn’t have drafted him if we didn’t feel he had all these traits to be a special quarterback that, in my opinion, he hasn’t had a chance to show yet.”

The Titans have been very busy in free agency trying to improve the offense around Locker.

They made a splash the day the market opened last week landing Buffalo guard Andy Levitre, plugging in a veteran at left guard hours after veteran Steve Hutchinson retired. They also signed tight end Delanie Walker, replacing Jared Cook who left as a free agent for St. Louis. Shonn Greene also was signed to pair a physical running back with the speedy Chris Johnson.

On Tuesday, the Titans agreed to terms with guard-center Rob Turner as they continued revamping the interior of their line.

Munchak said they want to be a physical football team again. Johnson ran for 1,243 yards, helping them rank 10th with an average of 4.5 yards per rush. But they ranked 26th in total yards on offense last season and last in time of possession with 27 minutes, 18 seconds per game.

The Titans believe Greene can play all three downs and may get a full series to himself at times to give them options.

“With a young quarterback, we have to start moving the chains better and making that time of possession better,” Munchak said.

Then the Titans cleared some more salary cap space after all that spending by cutting veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on Monday. Hasselbeck, 37, had been due to count $7.5 million against the cap in his third season, and the Titans agreed to terms with Fitzpatrick by that night. Hasselbeck is staying in the AFC South where he’ll be backing up Andrew Luck in Indianapolis.

Munchak called Hasselbeck a great fit for him as a new head coach in 2011 coming off the NFL lockout. He said Hasselbeck also was a great mentor for Locker, and the Titans were trying to redo the veteran’s contract to reduce his $5.5 million salary for 2013.

“Then all of a sudden some different opportunities opened up for him and for us,” Munchak said. “It just seemed like it was going to end up being best for both of us. I’m happy for him. And we were very lucky, we feel, to bring in a quarterback that’s really going to be a great complement to Jake Locker.”

Fitzpatrick will be competing, helping to push Locker to improve. But Munchak said Fitzpatrick knows his role.

“Ryan’s been in this situation before,” Munchak said. “He knows that Jake is going to be the guy; he is going to be the No. 2. He’s going to compete with him and help him a lot throughout the week. He’s been in the league. He’s been through the ups and downs of the NFL. He can win if he has to play. That’s how we felt with Matt Hasselbeck also.”

The way Locker scrambles, the Titans wanted a quality backup like Fitzpatrick.

“Unfortunately we have a quarterback who runs around a little bit, so there’s a chance that that second quarterback is going to play a lot,” Munchak said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.