Lost amid the abundance of attention focused upon the short-term future of Kerry Collins and the long-term prospects of Vince Young is the saga of the forgotten signal-caller of the Tennessee Titans: Chris Simms.
Like Collins, Simms is also scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent once the clock strikes past midnight on February 27th. Interestingly, recent reports indicate that despite the Titans’ desire to re-sign Collins and their ongoing relationship with VY, the team has already approached Simms about a new contract.
Why would Chris forego an opportunity to compete for a starting gig in a city like Chicago and return to a Titan team that already has its QB of the present and future on the roster?
Maybe, just maybe, Simms could have a future in Tennessee after all.
Simms could become a fall-back option if the team is unable to re-sign Kerry Collins. KC has stated that he wants to stay in Tennessee but as an unrestricted free agent, his return is anything but imminent. As a matter of fact, a recent report suggested that Collins wants to be paid along the same lines as fellow UFA QB Kurt Warner.
The Titans traditionally don’t dish out big-time dollars during free agency, (hopefully, Haynesworth will be an exception this year) so there is a chance that Collins will have to make his Warner-type money in another NFL city. Under these circumstances, the Titans would probably re-sign Simms to compete with Young in the Battle of the University of Texas alums at QB.
Of course, the grass may indeed be greener for Simms if he signs somewhere else. Instead of dwelling upon the hypotheticals associated with the Titans’ QB position, he could easily go to a team such as Chicago where he would have a realistic shot at playing time.
Prior to a horrific spleen injury, Chris Simms was the starting signal-caller for a 2005 Tampa Bay team that reached the postseason. Blessed with a strong left arm and the genes to play the QB position in the NFL, a now-healthy Simms should get another opportunity to start somewhere down the road.
Whether or not that chance takes place in Nashville may be a longshot. However, if Collins retires or ventures elsewhere and Young fails to recapture his 2006 NFL Rookie of the Year form, Simms could emerge from the shadows as a darkhorse option at QB for the Titans.
What do you guys think? Does Chris have a future in Tennessee?
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