SAN DIEGO – With the Tennessee Titans announcing the release of quarterback Zach Mettenberger, a potential landing spot that makes sense is the San Diego Chargers.
Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt was the head coach for the Titans when Mettenberger was taken in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. So Mettenberger should be familiar with San Diego’s offensive scheme.
The Chargers have no clear No. 3 quarterback after Philip Rivers and veteran backup Kellen Clemens. Developmental signal-callers Bryn Renner and Mike Bercovici are competing for the No. 3 job.
Mettenberger, 24, also knows Rivers from his time at LSU, where the San Diego quarterback’s younger brother Stephen began his college career.
At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mettenberger fits the prototype that San Diego looks for in a quarterback, a strong-armed thrower who can make plays inside the pocket.
However, Mettenberger hasn’t had much success in the pros. He started 10 games over two seasons, and the Titans didn’t win any of those games. Mettenberger completed 60.3 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a 75.4 passer rating during his time at Tennessee.
Some draft analysts compared Mettengberger’s skill set to Rivers coming out of LSU, so he could prove a valuable addition at Chargers Park as a possible developmental quarterback.
The Chargers have not selected a quarterback since taking Brad Sorensen in the seventh round of the 2013 draft.
Rivers turns 35 years old in December. And while Rivers has played in 160 consecutive games since taking over as the starter in 2006, San Diego needs to look to the future at quarterback.
Putting a claim on Mettenberger on the waiver wire and bringing him in for a look wouldn’t hurt.
