Jake Locker

Cam Ward, the Titans' shiny new starter, has the arm zip and pocket poise Locker flashed early—like that 326-yard gem against the 49ers in 2012—but Ward's already got more polish in year one, dodging sacks like a ghost. Locker's Titans tenure peaked at 4,967 yards and 27 TDs over four injury-riddled seasons; Ward's chasing that mobile-first blueprint without the same fragility. Still, Locker's cannon sets a bar Ward's gotta clear to own Nashville.

Nah, Jake Locker's not in Canton—his 79.0 passer rating and 27 TDs in 30 starts didn't scream Hall of Fame. Guy hung up the cleats in 2015 at 26 after wrist and thumb woes derailed him, walking away from NFL interest because the fire fizzled. Titans fans remember the rocket arm from Washington more than the pro resume; immortality's for McNairs, not what-ifs.

In 2026, Locker's thriving off-field at 37—co-owning a Ferndale fitness center with ex-punter Mike Koenen, diving into theology courses since 2018, and raising four kids with wife Lauren. No broadcasting gigs or charity headlines popping, just that quiet pivot from QB dreams to family and faith, proving some retirements hit refresh instead of regret.

Locker's live-arm scout-team sizzle and 6.8 yards per rush would've feasted in today's pass-happy NFL—think no-holds-barred protections letting him extend plays like young Lamar. That 111.4 rating Week 1 of '14? Modern rules amplify it, but his injury luck and decision hiccups (22 picks) might cap him as a Josh Allen-lite, not a franchise anchor.

Locker's 16.43% TD rate pales next to McNair's 42.22%—Air McNair slung 31,000 yards and an MVP while bulldozing for 3,590 more; Locker managed 4,967 passing in half the time, all grit minus the magic. Both mobile Titans saviors in theory, but McNair was a gunslinger poet, Locker a promising sketch that injuries erased.