After acquiring Ryan Tannehill earlier today, the Titans are set to cut one of their other quarterbacks. Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com reports (via Twitter) that the team will release Blaine Gabbert.
The 29-year-old spent last season as Marcus Mariota‘s primary backup. In eight games (three starts), Gabbert completed 60.4-percent of his passes for 626 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. The 2011 first-round pick has had stints with the Jaguars, 49ers, Cardinals, and Titans during his eight-year career, and he’s presumably set to add another team to that list this offseason.
The Titans gave up a 2019 seventh-rounder and a 2020 fourth-rounder in exchange for Tannehill and a 2019 sixth-rounder earlier today. The front office subsequently reworked their acquisition’s 2019 contract, although the veteran is still set to be among the highest-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL. As a result, it’s not entirely surprising that the Titans decided to move on from Gabbert. His release will provide Tennessee with $1.5MM cap savings vs. $500K in dead cap.
Considering Mariota’s extensive injury history, it’d be surprising if the Titans don’t add another quarterback to the mix during the offseason. Even if the team rolls into the regular season with only two quarterbacks on the roster, we’ll presumably see the team give a third-stringer some reps during the preseason.
Sweat! Dedication! Cupcakes!