Should we feel bad for Jake Locker?

Former Huskies quarterback Jake Locker announced his retirement this week, calling it a career at age 26 after just four seasons in the NFL. The news left some fans feeling bad for Locker, but should they?

“There are so many of us who are Jake Locker fans that really feel sad for him,” said KIRO Radio’s Tom Tangney. “The one person who doesn’t is Jake Locker, at least it seems that way.”

Locker played four NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans drafted Locker with the eighth pick overall out of Washington in 2011, but he was benched last October. He played behind Matt Hasselbeck in his first season, then was named the starter for 2012.

Related: Former Huskies QB Jake Locker retires after four NFL seasons

But Locker missed 14 of his first 32 potential starts because of injuries, and the Titans declined to pick up his 2015 option with a new coach in Ken Whisenhunt.

“Those of us who know how great he was as a Husky and how great he could have been as a pro are really feeling this is all so unfortunate,” said Tom.

Locker said in a statement that he knew his retirement announcement would come as a surprise to many, adding “but I know in my heart that it is the right decision and I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests.”

While “spending more time with family” is a cliché that often accompanies a retirement announcement, Tom said, “knowing what we know about Jake Locker, it’s probably true.”

Tom said Locker got around $12 million for his rookie contract and is reportedly currently living at his parent’s house along with his wife and two young children while the home he purchased, which used to belong to his grandparents, is remodeled.

“I’ve been fortunate,” Locker said last July. “My wife and I have been smart with our money, and we have. We’re fine. We don’t have to worry about it.”

While Tom sees himself and other Husky fans mourning Locker’s potential, he said he realized:

“The thing is, how many of us if we snapped our fingers and were in Jake Locker’s straits would be sad?” said Tom, noting his $12 million and the opportunity to make a choice to spend more time with his family. “What a happy life he really has compared to the rest of us and yet a lot of us are still in mourning for his unfortunate fate.”

“It’s a good life lesson.”