Fansided

Tennessee Titans sign John Skelton; Could Challenge Ryan Fitzpatrick

By Jason Marcum

Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback John Skelton (9) is pressed in the backfield by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Zach Brown (55) in the second quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback John Skelton (9) is pressed in the backfield by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Zach Brown (55) in the second quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback John Skelton (9) is pressed in the backfield by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Zach Brown (55) in the second quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit for this photo goes to Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback John Skelton (9) is pressed in the backfield by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Zach Brown (55) in the second quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit for this photo goes to Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

The Tennessee Titans shouldn’t feel comfortable with their backup quarterback situation right now. Jake Locker is currently on the injured reserve list after suffering a lisfranc foot injury two weeks ago, and Ryan Fitzpatrick has been fairly ineffective for the most part. The offense has sputtered, especially through the air.

Fitzpatrick hasn’t been able to move the ball consistently in any of his starts this year, and while the team may be willing to stick with him for now, there are quarterbacks on the free agent market capable of challenging him for the starting role.

John Skelton would qualify as one of those players, and it looks like the team has already signed him:

Fitzpatrick should feel secure for at least the next game, but if he continues to struggle while the Titans continue to lose and fall further out of the playoff mix, don’t be surprised to see Skleton starting at some point this season. He’s more mobile and may actually be the better option in this offense once he learns the playbook.

Skelton has plenty of starting experience, having started 17 games for the Arizona Cardinals during the last three seasons and has a 63.0 passer rating. He previously signed with the San Francisco 49ers but was eventually cut, and he had previously gotten a workout with the Titans. Skelton was part of the Cincinnati Bengals final wave of cuts after Josh Johnson beat Skeleton out to back up Andy Dalton to start the season.

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