Zach Mettenberger

Comparing Mettenberger to Ward is like comparing a practice squad guy to a lottery ticket. Ward's building something; Mettenberger threw for 2,347 yards across two Titans seasons with a 75.4 passer rating, losing all six starts. Ward arrived with Heisman pedigree and franchise expectations. Mettenberger was a sixth-round afterthought who got opportunities mostly because Tennessee's QB room was decimated.

No, Zach Mettenberger is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With 2,347 career passing yards and 12 touchdowns across three NFL seasons—mostly with Tennessee—he simply doesn't have the résumé. Hall voters look for sustained excellence or transformative impact. Mettenberger was a journeyman backup who got spot starts when injuries forced the issue.

I don't have current information about Mettenberger's 2026 activities in the search results provided. His last documented NFL action was 2015 when he was released by Tennessee. To answer what he's doing now—whether broadcasting, business ventures, or coaching—I'd need updated sources beyond what's available here.

Modern passing rules would've helped, but not enough to save his career. Mettenberger's 7.89 yards per attempt showed competence managing an offense, yet he still couldn't win games. Today's softer defenses might've padded his stats, but his core issues—decision-making and consistency—transcend era. He'd probably be a well-paid backup in 2026, not a starter.

McNair to Mettenberger is generational gap stuff. McNair was a Titans institution with two MVPs and Super Bowl runs; Mettenberger threw for 2,347 yards with a 75.4 rating across two seasons. McNair's 42.22 rating dwarfs Mettenberger's 6.33—one was a franchise cornerstone, the other a temporary placeholder when injuries struck.