This town was not big enough for Jeff Fisher and Vince Young.
Now it remains to be seen whether either returns for the 2011 season.
Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams said Wednesday afternoon, via a statement released by the team, that quarterback Vince Young no longer will be the quarterback.
In the same statement, though, Adams declined to endorse Fisher’s expressed desire to remain coach of the team.
Adams’ statement:
“As you are aware, we have been engaged in a series of internal discussions over the last month about the future of our football team. We have two critical decisions to make — the direction of the coaching staff and the future at the quarterback position. They are separate issues to me and will be dealt with separately.
“Today, I informed our general manager Mike Reinfeldt to move forward with plans to begin the process of identifying the next quarterback for our franchise. He will inform Vince Young’s agent that Vince will not be on our roster next season. I want to offer my personal thanks to Vince for all of his positive contributions to the club. These kinds of decisions are never easy and this is especially true for this particular player. I certainly wish that things would have worked out better, but I think it is best for the franchise that we move on at this point.
“I also informed Jeff (Fisher) today that I was continuing the evaluation of the coaching staff and I am hoping to make a decision soon.”
Fisher was unavailable for comment.
Young was 30-17 as a starter and appeared in 54 games total since being selected third overall behind Mario Williams of Houston and Reggie Bush of New Orleans. He threw 42 touchdown passes and 42 interceptions.
In a 2010 season cut short by a thumb injury, Young set career-highs for passer rating (98.6) and yards per attempt (8.0). He also made national headlines when he stormed out of the Titans' locker room in anger immediately following an overtime loss to Washington, a game in which he was not allowed to return to action after being hurt.
General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said, also in a statement, that he had spoken with Young’s agent, regarding the situation. It is unclear whether the Titans intend to trade or cut the 2006 first-round pick, neither of which can happen before Feb. 7.
Reinfeldt’s statement:
“I talked with Vince’s agent Tom Condon today and informed him that Vince will not figure into the club’s plans for next season. Under league rules, Vince’s contract cannot be terminated until February 7 when waivers begin for the new season. Similarly, he cannot be traded to another club until trading begins on the first day of the league year. Until then, Vince is welcome to rehab his injury either here at our facility or elsewhere.
“I let Mr. Adams know that we will explore all of the options that are available to us to solidify the quarterback position for the upcoming season.”