Adam Schefter just tweeted that Kerry Collins has decided that he is going to retire from the NFL. This is a curious decision considering it seems like he would be the natural fit as the guy to mentor Jake Locker here because of his familiarity with the personnel.

It makes me wonder if he got some type of indication from the Titans that they were going to go a different direction. This is a way for him to save face before it shows that the Titans did not want him back.

I think this means there is a very high chance that Matt Hasselbeck is the veteran guy the Titans bring in to keep the seat warm for Locker. There are quite a few people in the organization that are familiar with Hasselbeck, and he appears to be the strong leader the Titans need. I saw a lot of reports that Hasselbeck was running the voluntary workouts the Seahawks players put together.

Statement from Collins after the jump.

"After 16 fulfilling years of playing quarterback in the NFL, I am officially announcing my retirement from professional football," Collins said in a statement released by Athletes First, the agency that represents him. "The past several months have brought much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position."