Tennessee Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck reflects on the team’s interest in Peyton Manning -NFL News
Tennessee Titans’ quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, seems to have come to terms with the management’s move to sign former Indianapolis Colts’ QB, Peyton Manning, off the free agency a couple of weeks ago.
Hasselbeck along with rookie, Jake Locker, came under serious pressure following the heightened talk of the management, led by the owner, Bud Adams, around the possibilities of bringing Peyton to Tennessee.
The owner was very keen on signing former Colts star at all costs. He even offered the player a life-time contract and was ready to accept him in another role on retirement from the professional league.
An increased amount of activity was seen in Tennessee in the week following Manning’s releases by Colts. The player even visited Titans’ headquarters and had a marathon meeting with all officials of the team.
All those moments proved to be very difficult for Hasselbeck and Locker. The former was particularly under pressure as he was most likely to be cut if Manning had agreed to a deal from Titans.
Both the player and management later admitted that both quarterbacks were put in difficult situation by the talk around Manning’s potential signing.
Adams, during his one of remarks, also conceded that they he had put Hasselbeck in the difficult situation.
However, following the loss of the opportunity to reach a deal with Manning, who opted for joining the Denver Broncos, the owner said that he was happy with the quarterback situation and backed Hasselbeck and Locker to be Titans’ future quarterbacks.
Hasselbeck has now come out with the admission that it was difficult time for him and added that he had even thought of asking the management for his release.
While commenting on the situation, he said that in spite of the difficulties and uncertainty during Manning-talk week, he understands that management had right to pursue signing of the player. Given the status of Peyton Manning, anyone could be interested
in his signing, Hasselbeck said.
He said:
"I just sort of expected that because who he was in the state. I get it. It wasn't a shock to me."
Matt added:
"If the owner wants to make a change and pursue somebody in free agency that could happen on any team, at any time, anywhere. I guess for me at the end of the day again I get it. I get it with the Peyton thing.”
Hasselbeck had remained superb in his form and performance during the last National Football League (NFL) season.
Equally impressive had been Locker. Even though he did not get many chances in front of Hasselbeck, he proved his worth for the professional league whenever an opportunity presented itself.
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