NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- To be clear, Steve McNair never used the word retirement.
But the co-MVP of the 2003 season sent a clear message that he's hurting, and this time the physical pain mixed with a losing season has the Tennessee quarterback ready to think about quitting.
"I feel like at this point in time you have to take a hard look at it," McNair said after a 31-21 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday that ended the Titans' playoff hopes and put them in the AFC South cellar.
"Back in the days, I used to play and play well when I was hurt, but at the same time it has taken a toll. I just have to look at it and evaluate myself, but I'm going to continue to work hard this season and do the best I can do to try and win five ballgames."
Coach Jeff Fisher didn't hear of McNair's comments until the team was on the way to the airport in Houston. He spoke with his quarterback Sunday night and again Monday and feels McNair, who turns 32 on Feb. 14, was simply frustrated.
Although he's hurting, Steve McNair went 25-for-34 for 227 yards and three TD passes vs. Houston.
"I know how he feels. When you go from where he was last year to the situation that we are in as a team, there's frustration. And then you add the physical issues with him, I was not surprised whatsoever. He does not like losing football games," Fisher said.
McNair, who was not available Monday, has become known for his ability to play through pain. He has a full page in the Tennessee media guide that details his 24 separate injuries and six operations or procedures before this season.
He went 5-0 in December 2002 despite not practicing once with back spasms, turf toe and strained ribs. Six weeks after back surgery in 1999, he led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance.
This season hasn't come anywhere close to what McNair wanted as an MVP follow-up.
While co-MVP Peyton Manning of Indianapolis, whom the Titans (4-7) play Sunday, is on a record-setting pace, McNair has thrown two more interceptions (9) through seven games than he did all last season. A bruised sternum kept him out of two games and parts of two others, and his passer rating of 73.1 puts him behind 23 NFL quarterbacks.
McNair opened Sunday's game looking like the quarterback who led the NFL in passer rating in 2003. He hit his first seven passes and threw three touchdown passes in the first half. In the second half, he lost two fumbles and was intercepted once, and he publicly blamed himself after the loss.
"You get to wondering if things continue to be that way, you have to take a long look at it after the season to see what you're going to do," McNair said.
Asked if that meant not returning in 2005, McNair said he is just evaluating. Does that mean he will consider quitting?
"That's up to me," he said. "Like I said, I'll evaluate myself at the end of the season, and we'll see."
The comments didn't surprise Colts coach Tony Dungy, who said he got the impression from McNair at last February's Pro Bowl that the quarterback wasn't the type of guy to play forever.
"He's been to the Super Bowl, he went to the Pro Bowl last year, he's finally been the MVP of the league, and I'm sure he wants to get to another Super Bowl. But I didn't get the sense that he was looking to play 10 years down the road. I think he had some things in mind," Dungy said.
McNair lost friend Eddie George a week before training camp when the running back asked to be released in a salary dispute. Injuries have decimated the offense, knocking out two linemen, a receiver, two of the three tight ends and most recently, Chris Brown, George's replacement.
The quarterback is under contract through 2009 and due a $50 million option bonus after the 2005 season when the Titans' salary cap woes only worsen.
But Fisher said he believes -- and thinks McNair shares his opinion -- that the quarterback has several years left in the NFL.
"His goal is to win a championship, and that's what he wants first and foremost," Fisher said.
But the co-MVP of the 2003 season sent a clear message that he's hurting, and this time the physical pain mixed with a losing season has the Tennessee quarterback ready to think about quitting.
"I feel like at this point in time you have to take a hard look at it," McNair said after a 31-21 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday that ended the Titans' playoff hopes and put them in the AFC South cellar.
"Back in the days, I used to play and play well when I was hurt, but at the same time it has taken a toll. I just have to look at it and evaluate myself, but I'm going to continue to work hard this season and do the best I can do to try and win five ballgames."
Coach Jeff Fisher didn't hear of McNair's comments until the team was on the way to the airport in Houston. He spoke with his quarterback Sunday night and again Monday and feels McNair, who turns 32 on Feb. 14, was simply frustrated.
Although he's hurting, Steve McNair went 25-for-34 for 227 yards and three TD passes vs. Houston.
"I know how he feels. When you go from where he was last year to the situation that we are in as a team, there's frustration. And then you add the physical issues with him, I was not surprised whatsoever. He does not like losing football games," Fisher said.
McNair, who was not available Monday, has become known for his ability to play through pain. He has a full page in the Tennessee media guide that details his 24 separate injuries and six operations or procedures before this season.
He went 5-0 in December 2002 despite not practicing once with back spasms, turf toe and strained ribs. Six weeks after back surgery in 1999, he led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance.
This season hasn't come anywhere close to what McNair wanted as an MVP follow-up.
While co-MVP Peyton Manning of Indianapolis, whom the Titans (4-7) play Sunday, is on a record-setting pace, McNair has thrown two more interceptions (9) through seven games than he did all last season. A bruised sternum kept him out of two games and parts of two others, and his passer rating of 73.1 puts him behind 23 NFL quarterbacks.
McNair opened Sunday's game looking like the quarterback who led the NFL in passer rating in 2003. He hit his first seven passes and threw three touchdown passes in the first half. In the second half, he lost two fumbles and was intercepted once, and he publicly blamed himself after the loss.
"You get to wondering if things continue to be that way, you have to take a long look at it after the season to see what you're going to do," McNair said.
Asked if that meant not returning in 2005, McNair said he is just evaluating. Does that mean he will consider quitting?
"That's up to me," he said. "Like I said, I'll evaluate myself at the end of the season, and we'll see."
The comments didn't surprise Colts coach Tony Dungy, who said he got the impression from McNair at last February's Pro Bowl that the quarterback wasn't the type of guy to play forever.
"He's been to the Super Bowl, he went to the Pro Bowl last year, he's finally been the MVP of the league, and I'm sure he wants to get to another Super Bowl. But I didn't get the sense that he was looking to play 10 years down the road. I think he had some things in mind," Dungy said.
McNair lost friend Eddie George a week before training camp when the running back asked to be released in a salary dispute. Injuries have decimated the offense, knocking out two linemen, a receiver, two of the three tight ends and most recently, Chris Brown, George's replacement.
The quarterback is under contract through 2009 and due a $50 million option bonus after the 2005 season when the Titans' salary cap woes only worsen.
But Fisher said he believes -- and thinks McNair shares his opinion -- that the quarterback has several years left in the NFL.
"His goal is to win a championship, and that's what he wants first and foremost," Fisher said.
:smoker2:
