NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans waived quarterback Zach Mettenberger on Monday morning, a move that provides further clarity at the position behind starter Marcus Mariota. Mettenberger, a sixth-round pick by the Titans in the 2014 NFL Draft, started 10 games over the past two seasons in Tennessee.
The Titans made a number of roster moves on Monday. The team added four rookie players to the roster – fullback Sam Bergen (Rutgers), receiver Ben Roberts (Montana), defensive end Mike Smith (Southern Miss.) and cornerback Bennett Okotcha (Texas-San Antonio). Each of the players took part in the team's rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis.
In addition to Mettenberger, the Titans also waived defensive end Iosia Iosia, tight end Kevin Greene and receiver Rashon Ceaser.
In March, the Titans signed veteran quarterback Matt Cassel. The Titans also have quarterback Alex Tanney, who performed well in the season finale at Indianapolis at the end of last season, on the roster.
Mettenberger, who played at LSU, had plenty of opportunities in Tennessee over the past two seasons while filling in for injured starters. His final stats with the team: 208-of-345 for 2,347 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Titans were 0-10 in Mettenberger's 10 starts, however.
Cassel, a veteran of 11 seasons in the NFL, signed with the Titans after playing previously with the Patriots, Chiefs, Vikings and Cowboys. He provides a veteran presence behind Mariota, who's headed into his second season.
After signing with the Titans in March, Cassel said he'll be prepared to play if needed.
"Your mindset is you have to be prepared to play,'' Cassel said after joining the Titans in March. "But I also do understand the situation here. It is not one of those things where you are going in to compete for the starting job. You are going in to get yourself better and learn a new offense and get yourself ready to play.
"But at the same time, you have to do whatever you can to help the team and the organization. Sometimes when you are in the back-up role it is understanding how to help the other player be the best he can be."
Cassel has thrown for 17,003 yards and 101 touchdowns in his career. Cassel started 15 games for the Patriots in 2008 when Tom Brady suffered a season-ending in the preseason, and he started 15 games each in 2009 and 2010 with the Chiefs.
Cassel started seven games for the Cowboys last season, completing 119-of-204 passes for 1,276 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions, with a passer rating of 70.3.
Mariota broke rookie records for most touchdowns (19), completions (230), passing yards (2,818) and passing attempts (370) in his first NFL season in 2015.
