Home Steelers Offseason Steelers Should Put in Waiver Claim on Zach Mettenberger

Steelers Should Put in Waiver Claim on Zach Mettenberger

by Steelbydesign

News came yesterday that the Tennessee Titans have decided to waive 3rd year Quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

The 2014 sixth round pick has just 10 career starts… and unfortunately a career record of 0-10.

That being said, Mettenberger showed some promise as a rookie and played on some pretty bad teams. He definitely had a big hand on those losses but he also has shown glimpses of being at least a solid backup.

Personally, I remember coming away impressed with the rookie in what was his best game of his pro career against the Steelers in 2014. In that game, the former LSU signal caller threw a pick-6 on his first pass of the game and was in an early 10-0 hole. He would go on to lose that game 27-24 but was very impressive after that first pass; finishing the game 15 of 24 for 263 yards, 2 touchdowns, and the 1 early interception.

While Zach never wowed in his time with the Titans, he didn’t exactly have an all-star cast around him either. None of his skill players he worked with have lived up to expectations to this point either; guys such as Bishop Sankey, Justin Hunter, and Kendall Wright.

Mettenberger has the look of an NFL Quarterback. He’s big, played in a pro-style offense in college, and has a big arm. I think that he makes a lot of sense to come in and compete to be Ben Roethlisberger’s backup.

Money won’t be an issue with him either. I wouldn’t waste time letting him hit free agency, and just claim him off waivers right now. If the Steelers did, they’d control him through the 2017 season and take on cap hits of $630,000 and $720,000 for the next 2 seasons.

That’s pennies for a backup QB. If you don’t like what you see, there’s little risk in cutting him in camp, but personally I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see him at least beat out Landry Jones for a roster spot, and could even see him pushing Gradkowski.

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