Titans see Zach Mettenberger as backup

When the Titans' 2014 season came to a close, many figured the team's quarterback of the future was already on the roster.

Rookie Zach Mettenberger had appeared only in seven games with six starts but had made a solid impression for most of that stretch.

He completed almost 60 percent of his passes, set a franchise rookie record with 345 passing yards against Philadelphia and posted a quarterback rating of 83.4 — second-best among the NFL's regular rookie starters last year.

All of a sudden, however, Mettenberger looks like a backup after the Titans drafted Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota on Thursday.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt has been saying for months that Mariota probably would be the team's starter if the Titans picked him second overall, and he didn't back away from that stance Thursday.

"That's the plan. That's what we anticipate being the case," Whisenhunt said. "We have to work hard and push him to try to get him prepared."

So just what does that mean for Mettenberger, who missed the past three games of last season while recovering from a shoulder injury?

ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen suggested Thursday morning on radio that Mettenberger's agent might soon be pushing a trade for his client.

But Titans general manager Ruston Webster quashed that possibility immediately, saying he and Whisenhunt already had been in touch with Mettenberger.

"We talked to Zach, and that's not Zach in any way," Webster said. "I think he'll embrace the situation here and he won't be traded."

Whisenhunt spoke highly of Mettenberger last season, praising the sixth-round draft pick's competitive spirit, his toughness and his ability to learn quickly. Whisenhunt doesn't see Mettenberger pouting over the selection of a potential franchise quarterback.

"We just talked before I came in (to the news conference), so he's up for the challenge," Webster said. "I think one of the things that was important for Zach to understand is that he built up a lot of good equity with what he did. There's a lot of potential there, and we're excited about Zach."

Of course, if history is any indication, both Mariota and Mettenberger are likely to see action during the 2015 season.

In each of the past three seasons, the Titans have had at least two quarterbacks start at least five games. During the 2014 season, three quarterbacks — Mettenberger, Jake Locker and Charlie Whitehurst — all started at least five games.

"The way this league is going on, very seldom do you get a quarterback that goes through the whole season," Whisenhunt said. "So Zach will get an opportunity at some point. When he does, he's got to be ready to take advantage of that.

"He'll get a lot of work in preseason. He'll get some work with the (first team) and he'll get prepared."

But barring injury or surprising circumstances, Mettenberger won't be the day one starter. That distinction is probably Mariota's.

"I'm going to do my best (to start right away)," Mariota said. "I'm fortunate enough to have the opportunity. I'm going to do everything I can to learn the playbook and to get to know my teammates and contribute in any way that I can, and hopefully provide success."

Reach John Glennon at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @glennonsports.