clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Colts Reportedly Interested In Signing QB Matt Hasselbeck

With last year's back-up QB, Drew Stanton, opting to sign with Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals, the Colts are in the market for an experienced signal caller to back-up Andrew Luck. Hasselbeck's name has been mentioned.

By Brad Wells
Frederick Breedon

The Titans have cut veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck apparently because they want so very hard to convince everyone that Jake Locker and his career 55% completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, and 11 picks are worthy of the starting job in Tennessee. In two seasons with the Titans, Hasselbeck put up respectable numbers, averaging a 62% completion % and tossing 25 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

With last year's back-up QB, Drew Stanton, opting to sign with Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, the Colts are in the market for an experienced signal caller to back-up Andrew Luck. Hasselbeck's name has been mentioned:

You all might remember that, back in 2011 - when Bill and Chris Polian were taking all kinds of heat for botching the Colts back-up quarterback situation after it was revealed that Peyton Manning's neck injury could cost him the '11 season - the Colts reportedly tried to sign Hasselbeck after the Seahawks let him go. He opted instead for the Titans, and the Colts chose to sign Kerry Collins two weeks before the start of the 2011 regular season.

Signing Collins was a disaster. The Colts started the season 0-13, and it ultimately lead to the nasty divorce between the Polians and the Irsays.

Hasselbeck is 37-years-old and doesn't have much arm strength left. He is, however, a smart quarterback with a great deal of experience running a West Coast offense. New Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is implementing such an offense in 2013, and it might be a good idea to gain Hasselbeck's services.

No offense to Chandler Harnish, last season's third string quarterback, but Ryan Grigson does not want to put himself in the same position Bill and Chris Polian did in 2011. Here's Grigson last week when asked if the Colts are interested in signing someone to back-up Andrew Luck:

The back-up quarterback is obviously a big deal. At least, in our eyes. This is a rough game. a physical game, and you can't count on... as I've always said, you always have to have that doomsday scenario. You always have to think about those things.

Yeah, look for the Colts to make a push for Hasselbeck, or someone like him in free agency.

More From Stampede Blue