Jason Wolf

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Former Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger said it was “tough to be in Tennessee” playing behind starter Marcus Mariota in comments posted on the Chargers team website Thursday night.

The Titans cut Mettenberger this week and the Chargers claimed him off waivers.

“I’m a tough, hard-nosed guy,” Mettenberger told the website. “I am going to try and do whatever I need to do to make this team better, whatever role that is. Whether that means being the backup or the third-string guy, I’ll do whatever they need me to do. It was tough to be in Tennessee behind a guy like Marcus, where there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel. Being here has put the wind back in my sails.”

Mettenberger, winless in 10 career starts over the last two seasons since being drafted out of LSU in the sixth round in 2014, will compete with Kellen Clemens for the Chargers’ backup job behind five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers, but ostensibly hopes to position himself as the team’s quarterback of the future.

Rivers hasn’t missed a start in 10 seasons, but turns 35 years old in December. Mettenberger turns 25 in July, and is reunited with former Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt, now the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, and former Titans quarterbacks coach John McNulty, who was let go after last season.

Mariota, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2014 and was drafted second overall, set a number of Titans rookie passing records in 12 games last season. Mettenberger started the four games Mariota missed because of knee injuries, and was pulled early in the second half of the season finale, a loss at Indianapolis, after completing just 5 of 13 passes for 38 yards, an interception and a career-worst 14.6 passer rating.

The Titans signed veteran quarterback Matt Cassel this offseason to serve as the primary backup to Mariota and also roster Alex Tanney, who has bounced around the league for four seasons but performed well in his NFL debut in the second half of the season finale against the Colts, when he took over in relief of Mettenberger.

The Chargers visit the Titans in the preseason opener Aug. 13 and host Tennessee on Nov. 6, in Week 9 of the regular season.

Mettenberger received a phone call from Whisenhunt shortly after his agent told him about San Diego’s successful waiver claim.

“Coach Whiz called me right after,” Mettenberger said. “He is the one who really broke the ice for me. I was definitely relieved to come to a situation where the future looks good for me. That was a long 24 hours to be waiting, so it was great to hear his voice. The first thing he asked was if I still remembered the playbook. Fortunately, I know it really well. He was really excited to get back to work with me.”

Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.