Matt Hasselbeck Benched: Why Titans Should Stick with Jake Locker at QB

Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was benched amidst the Tennessee Titans embarrassing 41-7 home loss to the Houston Texans. Rookie Jake Locker entered the game for the second time this season. While the loss certainly can't be blamed entirely on Hasselbeck (as the Titans defense seemed more like a group of 11 turnstiles), I think the Titans should go with Locker from here on out. Here's why.

Hasselbeck has been playing worse and worse

The tapering off of Hasselbeck's production the last few weeks reminds me of Donovan McNabb last season. Hasselbeck was playing very well a few weeks ago when the Titans won three in a row, but he has been miserable the last two games. Today, he completed just 14 of 30 passes for 104 yards with two interceptions. 

Hasselbeck is well past his prime

At 36 years of age, Matt Hasselbeck is in the twilight of his NFL career. He hasn't posted a quarterback rating over 75 for the season since 2007. He is obviously not the quarterback of the future for the Titans. As we saw with McNabb last season and Brett Favre each of the last few seasons, older quarterbacks tend to tire out and play worse as the season progresses. Just six games into the season, Hasselbeck is already following that trend.

Locker will need some time to grow (on the field)

Even greats like Peyton Manning, Steve Young and Troy Aikman struggled mightily when they first stepped onto an NFL field. Jake Locker will need some time to grow and mature on the field, with game experience. He cannot get that if he's on the bench. If the Titans think Locker is going to be their franchise quarterback (which I assume they do, since they took him with the eighth overall pick), they should try and groom him as soon as possible.

The only reason the Titans would stick with Hasselbeck would be because they think that he gives them the best chance to win, right now. But I think his past few years (and today's outing) shows that he is about out of gas. I don't see him taking this team to the playoffs. They should get Locker in the game, now.