Matt Hasselback Released

[CLEVELANDwantsPLAYOFFS]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000151641/article/plenty-of-early-interest-in-qb-matt-hasselbeck

 

 

Matt Hasselbeck reportedly draws plenty of interest

By Kareem Copeland

 

 

Matt Hasselbeck is no longer an NFL-caliber starting quarterback, but he is one of the better backups in the league. The Tennessee Titans released Hasselbeck after he declined to reduce the $5.5 million owed on the final year of his contract.

 

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Monday that the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all have shown early interest in Hasselbeck. The Cardinals and Bills are the only two without a named starting quarterback.

 

USA Today later reported that Hasselbeck already is in discussions with the Colts and soon could agree to a contract that would make him Andrew Luck's backup.

 

Hasselbeck, 37, played in eight games and started five last season as Jake Locker dealt with shoulder injuries. Hasselbeck completed 62.4 percent of his passes and threw seven touchdown passes against five interceptions.

 

Hasselbeck won't get a major payday, but he will have plenty of options to pick a situation that best suits him. He's more than capable of holding things down while an injured starter recovers and has the smarts to mentor a young quarterback.

[Mark O]

He's a little old but he would be a solid backup if we're looking for a guy to "mentor" Weeden. The other side is that he very well could outplay Weeden and take the starting job and then we draft a future QB next year.

 

I think Kolb or even Campbell is a better option for us. Campbell was playing well last year in Oakland before he got hurt playing us.

[Mark O]

Chris Mortenson is reporting that he's already close to a deal with the Colts.