Running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Ryan Tannehill were two of the most crucial players to the team’s success last season, and now both have made it clear they want to be back in Nissan Stadium for the 2020 NFL season.
“I’d like for things to line up and I’d like to be back (in Tennessee) if it all gets worked out, but you never know what is going to happen,” Tannehill said, per the Titans’ website. “So you have to try and mentally prepare for that as well, what else can happen. We’ll just have to see. But hopefully we can get things worked out and keep building on what we did this year.
“I do know I love the (Titans) organization, I love the team, I love the guys on the team, and I love the tone coach (Mike) Vrabel sets, and the vision that he has. I feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”
2019 was a huge year for Tannehill, who was known for his struggles and inconsistencies with the Miami Dolphins.
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He looked like a new-and-improved quarterback as the Titans came up just one game short of a Super Bowl LIV appearance.
He completed 70.3% of his pass attempts for 2,742 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 10 starts — which the Titans recorded a loss in just three of.
Tannehill also led the NFL in multiple areas, including yards per attempt (9.6), adjusted yards gained per pass attempt (10.2), yards per completion (13.6) and passer rating (117.5).
Tannehill will be an unrestricted free agent in March, and could be looking at a long-term deal with a big pay raise, or potentially a franchise tag.
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The Titans have a projected total of $53.9 million in available salary cap space ahead of next season, and it will be interesting to see how much money – if any – they’re ultimately willing to spend to keep Tannehill in two-toned blue.
Quarterbacks like Philip Rivers, Dak Prescott and Tom Brady are all set to become free agents as well — which will be well-worth looking into for the Titans.
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