Texans defensive end J.J. Watt took offense, and Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt made it clear that he expected quarterback Zach Mettenberger to show more social media restraint.
But Mettenberger smiled Tuesday, saying he didn’t mind when he saw Watt going off on his selfie game.
“I just kind of laughed it off,’' Mettenberger said, via Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean. “What can I say? The guy is the best defensive player in the NFL, there is nothing I can say to him. So I just need to keep progressing, keep working and we’ll play them again.”
But he didn’t like the suggestion he wasn’t working on his craft.
“He’s entitled to his opinion, he is a great player and all that,’' Mettenberger said of Watt. “But I know how hard I work, and I know what I am doing here each and every day. And that’s something that I can’t be concerned about. If social media ever becomes a distraction for me, I just need to give it up. It never has been a distraction.
“If guys in this locker room feel it’s a distraction on my part, I’ll tone it back. But I don’t think that’s a problem.”
Mettenberger was clearly having fun with his own goofball image last week, but has since gotten a haircut and reined it in a bit, since he’s in a position of greater responsibility now. That’s smart, and so is not adding motivation to a player who doesn’t need any extra.