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| Former Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck celebrates a touchdown pass during an NFC Wild Card game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game, 41-36. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -The Tennessee Titans have reached a deal with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, according to a person familiar with the agreement.
Hasselbeck spent the past 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, and the Titans are hoping he can bring stability to the position and work with rookie Jake Locker, the No. 8 overall draft pick.
Veteran Kerry Collins retired three weeks ago, the Titans plan to trade or release Vince Young before training camp opens Friday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. ESPN.com first reported the agreement, which was reached Wednesday morning.
Free agents aren't allowed to sign contracts until Friday, and terms of Hasselbeck's agreement were not immediately available.
"I think it's a good move," Titans wide receiver Damien Williams said Wednesday. "Obviously, we've got a bunch of young guys with Jake and Rusty (Smith) and they're not quite acclimated. We've got a brand new system, so to bring in a veteran that knows how to adapt quickly I think that's a good move. Those guys can have someone to learn from."
The Seahawks reached a deal Tuesday with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, a clear sign they were moving on without Hasselbeck. Back in January, coach Pete Carroll pronounced that re-signing Hasselbeck was Seattle's No. 1 priority, but the two sides could not reach an agreement before the 4 1/2-month NFL lockout.
During the 2010 season, the 35-year-old Hasselbeck played in 14 games, throwing for 3,001 yards, 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while completing 59.9 percent of his passes. Originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 draft, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has 29,579 yards passing, 176 touchdowns and 128 interceptions while completing 60.1 percent of his passes in 12 seasons.
Hasselbeck comes to Tennessee already familiar with Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt, who worked in the Seahawks' front office before joining the Titans in 2007, and Locker, who played for the Washington Huskies.
"From college to the NFL is a big adjustment," tight end Jared Cook said. "To have somebody to learn under, especially somebody as experienced as Matt Hasselback, I think is going to benefit all our quarterbacks."
In the post-lockout rush to complete rosters, the Titans needed to sign nine draft picks, including Locker, work to keep some of their own free agents and possibly add a veteran defensive tackle, linebacker and safety. They agreed to terms with 14 undrafted rookies Tuesday.
The challenges don't end with signing players, either. The start of training camp will mark the first time players get to work out with coach Mike Munchak and a staff of new assistants.
