Ryan Tannehill is easily the most accomplished quarterback remaining on the free agent market, though only the Steelers have been connected to him in any meaningful way this offseason. After Pittsburgh added Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as part of their QB overhaul, the only other report concerning Tannehill was one indicating the Broncos were not interested in him. The 2019 Pro Bowler has not suggested he has any plans to retire, and as training camps open up around the league, it is worth taking a look at some of his likeliest landing spots.
Tannehill, who will turn 36 in less than a week, revived his career in Tennessee after injuries torpedoed the final three years of his Miami tenure. The Dolphins traded him to the Titans in March 2019, and he took over for a struggling Marcus Mariota in Week 6 of the 2019 campaign. From that point through the end of the 2022 season, Tannehill compiled a 30-13 regular season record and led Tennessee to three consecutive playoff berths.
Unfortunately, that is when injuries once again began to take their toll. Tannehill was limited to 12 games in 2022, and after suffering an ankle sprain in Week 6 of the 2023 season, he lost his starting job to Will Levis. With Tennessee now looking to give Levis a chance to prove he can be the team’s franchise passer, Tannehill is looking for a new employer.
In Tannehill’s case, everything old could be new again, as the Dolphins profile as a logical fit for their former first-round pick. While the ‘Fins obviously have Tua Tagovailoa entrenched as their QB1, the southpaw comes with his own share of health concerns, and his current backups are Mike White and Skylar Thompson, who have nine career regular season starts between them. Tannehill would give an otherwise talented roster a legitimate chance to win in the event Tagovailoa is forced to miss time with injury, and he would be a natural fit in Mike McDaniel’s offense. Plus, he would not need to carry the team on his back; he would merely need to competently deliver the ball to the club’s bevy of skill position talent.
Like the Dolphins, the Chargers might have a playoff-worthy roster with starting quarterback Justin Herbert under center, but all of that talent would be wasted if Herbert is lost for a significant period of time. With all due apologies to Easton Stick and Max Duggan, Tannehill would represent a clear and obvious upgrade to the Bolts’ quarterback room, and the team’s presumptive run-heavy approach under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman would mimic the Derrick Henry-centered attack that allowed Tannehill to thrive in Nashville.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, were in something of a rebuilding/retooling phase at this time last year, and they were content to have Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask go into training camp in a battle for starting QB duties. But now that Mayfield has reestablished himself as a viable QB1 and is coming off a divisional round playoff appearance, Tampa Bay is eyeing another postseason run. Although the Bucs have always spoken highly of Trask since they selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft, they may prefer a more experienced option in the event Mayfield should get hurt or should experience the type of regression that ultimately ended his Cleveland tenure.
The Rams, a surprise entrant in the 2023 playoff field who were narrowly defeated by the Lions in the wildcard round, did sign a veteran passer this offseason to serve as a backup to starter Matthew Stafford. Free agent acquisition Jimmy Garoppolo, however, has an extensive injury history and will miss the first two games of the 2024 season due to a PED suspension. Behind him on the depth chart is Stetson Bennett, a 2023 fourth-rounder who saw no action in his rookie season. While Garoppolo’s presence likely precludes a Tannehill signing for now, that could change if Garoppolo should struggle in camp or if he sustains another injury.
Again, Tannehill has not been formally connected to any of the above-named teams, so it is difficult to guess where he might land. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
I still wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up on the Bears. It’s weird that they haven’t brought in a solid veteran to put in the room with Williams. The Bills didn’t bring in a veteran to go with Allen his rookie year, then by October they changed their mind and brought in Derek Anderson. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chicago has a similar change of heart.
Haven’t you heard the Bears fans on the boards? Williams is already the GOAT.
I think Williams is going to be really good, but even for easing the transition to the pros, it’s weird to not have a veteran there.
Shut it!!!!!
Chicago and Bucs make a lot of sense. No seasoned vets in bears QB room and a cheap but experience emergency option in Tampa if Baker goes down. It’s so close to Nashville it would be that big of a move
Probably because Tannehill is a guy that may take Williams job if he fails, or gets injured for a while. Bears don’t want that situation to even come close to happening. Probably need an old Shane Waldron QB who knows the system for the Bears QB2. That’s what I see with Tannehill, and why teams are hesitant with him. He might outshine your starter.
I think that would be more of a risk with a team less certain about the QB they’ve drafted, but it might be the problem from Tannehill’s point of view. He likely wants a real shot to start. Maybe he waits for an injury. I like Tannehill, but he hasn’t looked the same in a couple of years.
Agree. Many of these guys are always QB1 in their minds (like Roethlisberger). Tannehill had some good seasons with AJ Brown and D Henry. He needs a good cast around him, and wasn’t that great of a playoff QB.
I agree regarding Williams needing a veteran presence (although Tyler Bagent did well last season for them when Fields went out). But I think there may be other issues with Tannehill. Being in Nashville, you hear a lot that doesn’t get picked up nationally and on more than one occasion, he was on record as saying it wasn’t his job to get Levis ready for the NFL. That’s not gonna get you a QB “mentor” job.
Ah, one of those. Can understand an athlete feeling that way, but it’ll close doors when no one wants you to be The Guy anymore.
People have gotten jobs by saying way worse lmao remember Rex Ryan?
I live in pittsburgh,a lifetime steelers fan.
I’m posting this because some of the dumb posts or calls made into talk sports radio.
The other day a “so called” steelers fan called and said the steelers should sign tannehill as a mentor to Russell Wilson. The talk show hosts was flabbergasted as were many listeners. YOU WANT A QB TO MENTOR A POTENTIAL HALL OF FAMER, A SUPERBOWL WINNINER AND 16 YEAR VETERAN. PEOPLE ARE SURELY NUTS
If you listen to Pittsburgh sports radio these days, I feel sorry for you. I am also a Pittsburgher and lifetime sports fan, and you’d have to torture me to get me to listen to just about every sports show on the local airwaves.
I agree with you monkey. Only time I listen to these bozos is after a pirate game. And I fall asleep and wake up and the nuts are on. 93.7 the fan is nothing but a bunch of morons.
Russell Wilson is not a 16 year veteran.
Ok 13 year veteran….
Bears need a veteran QB behind Williams. I feel like Tannehill makes so much sense for Chicago.
The Bears being the Bears, thought Mike Glennon made sense. They thought Andy Dalton and Nathan Peterman made sense too…lol.
Seattle would make sense. ‘Backing up’ Geno until he needs to be benched.
Howell would still be the one to replace Geno when he’s benched in this scenario. I don’t think Seattle is a good landing spot for Tannehill.
Howell wasn’t that impressive last year. If they want a higher pick, then yes start Howell.
And Tannehill was even less impressive last year so I don’t really understand your point if you want him to replace Geno instead of Howell, the better player. Just keep playing Geno then.
Tanner I’ll 2023 4 tds…7 interceptions.
Hawks have PJ Walker as third back up also.
@ arty
Hard to be impressive when you’re sacked 65 times. Sam had a passer rating over 100 in 4 of his first 10 games so there definitely is some potential there.
Howell age 24
vs
Tannehill age 35
Go with Howell.
Tannehill’s apex is mediocrity.
I would like to see Detroit pick him up to provide a solid experienced backup to Goff and not have Hooker need to go from zero to starter overnight.
I know that many think Brad Holmes is infallible, but the Hooker draft pick is looking more like a bust every day. Primarily because drafting a player coming off of a season ending injury and then signing the starter to a deal longer than the rookie’s contract is kind of dumb.
The scenario for this to look good is IF Goff gets hurt OR suddenly can’t play AND IF Hooker comes off the bench and performs like Brady, then Holmes is a genius.
I think they were truly considering replacing Goff before this past season, so it made more sense at the time even if it still was a questionable pick.
Hooker was a backup plan if Goff regressed or they couldn’t sign him. Holmes doesn’t need Hooker to succeed to ‘be a genius’. He had plenty of other examples. Goff is example 1A. Only Holmes thought he could succeed and he’s done fantastic.
Tannehill must be waiting for the right situation, as he’s earned the right to. Because I have to believe that he’d be an upgrade to the depth charts if close to half the teams out there.
My guess is CBS or FOX … possibly Lifetime Movie Network
I’m shocked he’s still unsigned. He’s a solid depth piece for teams like broncos chargers raiders and bills. Could also see him with Bucs and Jaguars as emergency b backup
Chargers and Bills make a ton of sense. He’s better than Stick and understands the Harbaugh offense and I’d much rather roll with him than Trubisky as Allen’s backup.
Yeah although I’d imagine Mitch is cheaper and Allen to his credit I don’t think has even missed an nfl game ever maybe one.
He could go to the Commanders and replace Marcus Mariota again.
Your post was humorous, but your name is even better.
Going to probably wait it out like Flacco last year. When a team gets a QB injury but are still in a playoff race they will contact him.
XFL
Of all of these teams, Chargers make the most sense. Neither of their backups are any good, but Herbert also has a lot of starting experience and is a smart QB who doesn’t really need a veteran mentor. Tannehill going there would be based purely on his own ability as a backup, and as a veteran who can pick up the offense quickly. I don’t think that the Chargers are looking right now for that, though, and I think that Tannehill is really just going to have to wait for an injury or for a gap to open in another circumstance for an opportunity.
Bear in mind that Tampa was nearly ready to hand their starting job to Trask before Mayfield edged ahead in that competition. If Mayfield goes down or regresses severely, Trask is likely to get that first call to get an opportunity to prove himself.
The first place that has a QB go down.
Bears
Should wait it out until season begins and the battle of QB attrition starts. Drives up his value and he can most likely have starting gig.