David Climer

dclimer@tennessean.com

Jake Locker began the season trying to prove he was the Titans' quarterback of the future.

He'll end the season auditioning for a role he'll probably play for one of 31 other NFL teams next year: No. 2 quarterback.

Seven weeks after he was demoted, the Titans now turn to Locker because of Zach Mettenberger's shoulder injury, which probably has ended his season. When Mettenberger was knocked out of the game Sunday, Locker stepped in and completed an 18-yard pass on his first snap.

An NFL career can be filled with strange plot twists. This is a case in point. Locker will spend his final month as a member of the Titans organization trying to catch the eyes of the opposition. Teams looking for a backup quarterback in 2015 are taking notes.

Where will he land? The marketplace is pretty open. Here are some of the No. 2 quarterbacks around the league this week: Ryan Nassib, Austin Davis, Bruce Gradkowski, Tyrod Taylor, Jimmy Clausen.

Like I said, he'll have options.

Locker doesn't turn 27 until June so he has time on his side. He's started 22 NFL games. He has a strong arm. And he's mobile. Incredibly, Locker is the Titans' third-leading rusher this season despite missing seven games.

Obviously, there will be concerns about his injury history. But that's a lesser concern when you're shopping for a No. 2 quarterback instead of a starter.

Since losing the starting job to Mettenberger, Locker has handled things about as well as could be expected. He's been a pro about it, doing his due diligence with the playbook, making the most of the snaps he gets in practice and generally embracing the role of backup quarterback.

He's been thrust into action in each of the Titans' last two games. After struggling against Houston, Locker completed 9-of-11 passes against the Giants on Sunday. He also scrambled twice for 28 yards, which led the team in rushing.

He's been careful not to make waves. Clearly, he's disappointed at the turn of events at quarterback, but he hasn't vented in public.

"I'm trying to approach every week to be prepared to play, and I won't do anything different this week," he said after the Giants game. "Obviously, I'll be praying for Zach and his health. You don't ever wish that on anybody so I hope he heals up and gets better."

I still think Locker can be an NFL starting quarterback. He has to find the right team with the right situation. The better he plays in these final three games, the greater the number of teams that will make offers when his contract with the Titans expires after the season.

Nobody ever questioned Locker's commitment or work ethic. He just can't stay out of the training room. Since being named starting quarterback by then-coach Mike Munchak in 2012, Locker's longest period without significant injury was seven games.

Sometimes a change of venue is best for everybody involved. For whatever reason, Locker never could stay healthy long enough to have a chance to establish himself with the Titans. In the spring, he'll sign with another team as a backup but eventually could get a chance to work into a starting role.

Locker knows the score. But he says taking care of business in Tennessee in the near term is his primary responsibility.

Asked if he sees the upcoming games as a chance to improve his free-agency status in 2015, Locker shook his head and said:

"It's an opportunity to go out and play with these guys that I've had the opportunity to compete with for four years here, and I'm excited about that."

That's the kind of attitude we have come to expect from Locker. He's always been a team player.

One other possible twist of irony: What if Locker plays well enough that the Titans shake out of this horrible funk and win their final three games? That would cost them several spots in the 2015 draft, a draft that might offer up a franchise quarterback or two.

It's food for thought.

David Climer's columns appear on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. Reach him at 615-259-8020 and on Twitter @DavidClimer.