Titans free agency: Want a young, mobile backup QB with starting experience? - The Tennessean

Titans GM Jon Robinson was non-committal about DeMarco Murray's future with the team on Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Jason Wolf / USA TODAY Network - Tennessee

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hug Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) after losing to the Cardinals 12 to 7 at University of Phoenix Stadium Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. (Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.co)

You want a relatively young, mobile quarterback with starting experience to back up Marcus Mariota?

You might be looking for a unicorn. Or less than enthused by the closest alternatives.

But the Titans are in the market, searching for a backup signal-caller after releasing Matt Cassel, who was ineffective in six quarters in relief of Mariota last season.

Titans coach Mike Vrabel described backup quarterback as a "critical position" at the NFL Combine, and that's certainly true for the Titans, considering injuries have prevented Mariota from playing a full 16-game schedule in any of his first three seasons in the NFL.

"It's a guy that's able to control his emotions throughout the week, of being a backup, but also has the ability and the confidence to go in there and win the game," Vrabel said, before citing Tom Brady stepping in for Drew Bledsoe as the ultimate example.

Tennessee has Alex Tanney and Tyler Ferguson under contract for next season, but is expected to add a No. 2 quarterback through the draft or free agency, which begins Wednesday.

Titans general manager Jon Robinson has preferred having a veteran in the position – Tennessee signed Brandon Weeden to serve as Cassel's backup last season, once it became apparent Mariota would miss time with a hamstring injury.

Taking the above criteria into consideration, here are some veteran quarterbacks who are no older than 30, would represent an upgrade from Cassel and are either already on the market or scheduled to become free agents:

Teddy Bridgewater, 25, stepped on the field as a backup for the Vikings late last season after missing nearly two years because of a knee injury. He has said he wants to be a starter next season, but it's unclear if he'll get that chance. (Photo: Jim Mone / AP )

Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater, 25, stepped on the field as a backup for the Vikings late last season after missing nearly two years because of a knee injury.

The former first-round draft pick showed excellent mobility before his injury, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,231 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2015, when he was named to the Pro Bowl.

But Bridgewater has said he wants to be a starter next season, and some team may give him that chance.

Blaine Gabbert

Gabbert, 28, started five games last season for the Cardinals, winning two, including a matchup against the Titans. He completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 1,086 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.

He also lost seven fumbles. Gabbert, a first-round draft pick by the Jaguars in 2011, has played for eight head coaches in seven NFL seasons.

He's completed 55.9 percent of his career passes for 8,437 yards, 44 touchdowns, 43 interceptions and a 71.5 passer rating. He's also rushed for 631 yards and three touchdowns on 171 carries.

In this Sept. 12, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Santa Clara, Calif. (Photo: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick, 30, wasn't among the quarterbacks the Titans worked out when Mariota injured a hamstring last season, when they signed Weeden, but he likely wouldn't have been an effective Band-Aid.

But given a full offseason to get back into football shape and learn the playbook? The controversial former 49ers quarterback, who helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl, has the skillset to serve as a fine backup to Mariota.

Kaepernick has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 12,272 yards, 72 touchdowns, 30 interceptions and an 88.9 passer rating in 69 career games. He's also rushed for 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns on 375 carries.

Oakland Raiders quarterback E.J. Manuel (3) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug 31, 2017, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. (Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

E.J. Manuel

Manuel, who turns 28 this month, completed 24 of 43 passes (55.8 percent) for one touchdown and an interception while appearing in two games with the Raiders last season.

A first-round draft pick by the Bills in 2013, Manuel has since completed 58.1 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and a 77.1 passer rating. He's also rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns on 96 carries.

Marcus Mariota (8) talks with Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel after the game. (Photo: Andrew Weber / USA Today Sports)

Johnny Manziel

Could the Titans add a third Heisman Trophy winner to the roster? Manziel, 25, hasn't played football in two years since his release from the Browns, but the notoriously immature former Texas A&M star is reportedly sober, taking medication for bipolar disorder and willing to play for free (or the veterans' minimum, with no guaranteed money) in a bid to resurrect his career.

Perhaps no true backup on the market offers greater upside. But the Titans prize tough, dependable, team-first players, and don't need a reclamation project, let alone a player with Manziel's potential behavior.

New York Giants quarterback Geno Smith (3) looks to pass the ball against the Oakland Raiders on Dec, 3, 2017, at Oakland Coliseum. (Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Geno Smith

Smith, 27, has had a disappointing NFL career since the Jets drafted him in the second round in 2013. He started one game for the Giants last season, completing 21 of 34 passes (61.7 percent) for 212 yards and a touchdown in a loss at Oakland.

Smith can run the ball when necessary – racking up 659 yards and seven touchdowns on 139 career carries – but has struggled with inaccuracy. Smith has completed 57.9 percent of his career passes while tossing 29 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.

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

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