Why Ryan Tannehill's Titans Career Is All But Done?
When Ryan Tannehill threw that interception in London against the Baltimore Ravens, there was a sense of confirmation, if there was not beforehand, that he is all but certain not to be a Tennessee Titan next season.
The Titans got back into the game, after an interception from Sean Murphy-Bunting and a Derrick Henry rushing touchdown just a handful of plays later. This gave the Titans the chance to take a lead on their next drive, as they went into it only 18-13 down.
However, the chance to turn the five-point deficit into a lead was crushed just four plays into the drive. In just his second throw of the drive, Tannehill, whilst attempting to find tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, threw the ball into the hands of Ravens safety Geno Stone.
There was an almighty groan from the Titans fans, which could be heard despite the overwhelming Ravens support. It was a moment where they felt that they knew that his time was up.
However, with the future of the backups up in the air, there’s a chance for Tannehill to keep his place for an extra year, but even with that it seems that the Titans may want to go down a different direction.
Quarterbacks Taken In Back-To-Back Years
In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Titans took Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the third round, and the idea was to sit him behind Tannehill for a year or two and then have him start for the team. In a quarterback class that was seen as the worst in years, there was still hope for Willis. However, there was concerning reports coming out of the team and when the team signed Josh Dobbs and played him ahead of Willis for their crucial end of season stretch, this was a telling sign that maybe Willis isn’t the guy.
Head coach Mike Vrabel had criticised Willis in 2022 but had some positives to say about him during the preseason. He flattered to deceive during the loss to Baltimore in London, but he will hope to get the chance to impress after their Week Seven bye week. He will get the chance with Will Levis’ status as out. However, there should be some concern about Willis given the fact they took Levis in the second round a year after they drafted him.
Neither quarterback has done anything yet to say that they will be the future face of the franchise, but it feels like Levis will get his chance more than Willis. If they lose running back Derrick Henry before the start of next season, then there are no stars on that offense, except wide receiver Deandre Hopkins who is far from his old self and showing plenty of signs of decline.
If there is any year to try an unproven quarterback then next year appears to be the time to do it. Even if for just one season, they at least will get the chance to see what Levis or Willis has to offer. It is unlikely they keep hold of the former Miami Dolphins first round pick.
Where Will Tannehill Go?
There is still reason to believe Tannehill will get a starting job somewhere else. He would be by far the best backup QB in the league if that’s what his 2024 season looks like.
However, there are plenty of QB hungry teams. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are the best two prospects in 2024, but only two teams can get them.
The current draft order, according to Tankathon, is the Chicago Bears with the first two picks, and then the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and New England Patriots. All these teams could feasibly draft a quarterback high, but there are also teams who could be tempted by a new signal caller but aren’t bad enough to take a low pick.
These teams include the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders. These could be teams who take Tannehill on a one-year deal but could also take him to be a backup or a mentor to the rookie QB who will eventually replace him as the starter. He did not seem to want to help Willis, with his comments likely to put some teams off having him on the team to do this role.
Tannehill is approaching father time, and he looks to be out of the door in Tennessee. Whether he goes on to another team or retires, his NFL career is also surely near the end.