Tag: Ryan Tannehill

The Dolphins should just call Ryan Tannehill already as their season teeters on quarterback instability

It’s time for the Dolphins to call Ryan Tannehill.

The Miami Dolphins cannot keep this going any longer.

After suffering a dispiriting home loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football and not getting much of anything from quarterback Tyler Huntley in the air, the Dolphins have to stop pretending this quarterback plan is going to work if they still want to make the playoffs this season.

For as talented as this offense is and how much the franchise was expected to meaningfully contend this year, the Dolphins are going to have to swallow their pride and bring quarterback Ryan Tannehill back to salvage the season.

Sure, bringing back your former first-round quarterback who flamed out in your uniform and revived his career with the Titans would require eating more than a bit of humble pie. However, Tannehill is the ultimate escape hatch at the position in free agency. Miami needs a miracle right now to get this offense going in any direction that’s positive. That miracle may be returning to the past.

Huntley is a career backup, and there’s no shame in him not quite rising to the occasion on Monday night. Skylar Thompson hasn’t really shown much to give you hope he can lead the franchise past a game or two, and turning to Tim Boyle just feels like a bad idea.

Tua Tagovailoa, the team’s primary quarterback, is on injured reserve right now and facing a pretty severe concussion situation. There is no guarantee he returns this season, and Miami would play with fire to put him back in the lineup this season. The risk of another concussion so soon after the one he sustained a couple of weeks ago is palpable and deeply worrisome.

Signing Tannehill gives the franchise a perfectly viable reason to allow Tagovailoa the year to heal before playing contact football again. The  veteran started in eight games for the Titans last year, and he was okay. He doesn’t have Tagovailoa’s ceiling, but his floor is steady enough.

Mike McDaniel has built the fastest offense in the NFL, and all he really needs his quarterback to do is point and throw with enough arm power to hit one of the speedy weapons at Miami’s disposal. Tannehill can do that.

McDaniel is still regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in the game, so a down year won’t put him on the hot seat. However, this Dolphins team isn’t getting any younger. Maximizing a very weird season and a suddenly open AFC should be a priority for a talented team like Miami, even with a 1-3 record. That’s where the Cincinnati Bengals are, hypothetically!

Even if the advanced statistics aren’t great, maybe Tannehill could at least pick the offensive side of the ball up from the bottom of the league. Maybe?

Tannehill coming back to the team that drafted him to save its season could be a really fun story, even if you cannot guarantee he’d be able to do enough to win a division with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets… defense or even push for a wild-card spot. However, this team is destined for a lost season as it is without a meaningful swap at quarterback.

It’s entirely possible the Dolphins could keep playing quarterback musical chairs until Tagovailoa returns, but that feels like a terrible idea and a huge gamble with the franchise quarterback’s long-term viability to play football.

You can’t say with confidence that adding Tannehill is enough to save the Dolphins’ suddenly shaky season, but you can say it’s a much better idea than any of the other ones present for the team at quarterback right now.

Why not give it a go if Tannehill is open to the idea of going home? He’s as good an option as Miami is going to get right now to right the ship.

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Former NFL GM suggest puzzling trade idea for Vikings

NFL trades are not always simple to pull off or even suggest, but they have to make sense to happen and this one by Mike Tannebaum doesn’t.

NFL trades are not always simple to pull off or even suggest, but they have to make sense to happen. Today, we have an example that simply doesn’t pass the eye, smell, or any test to have happened.

Mike Tannenbaum, former general manager for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, made an interesting trade suggestion on ESPN’s Get Up.

The former NFL general manager suggested that the Vikings trade for Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. He also explained the reasoning behind the move.

“A win-win here is to trade Russell Wilson to Minnesota. I think he’s a better quarterback than Sam Darnold. They certainly can battle it out.”

Considering that the trade doesn’t make sense for the team and that they have shown they want to believe in Sam Darnold, the team doesn’t have the draft capital to send away.

Suggesting the team send a third—or fourth-round pick for a one-year rental is questionable. The team only has its first-round pick and two fifth-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

It’s not happening, not feasible, moving on.

Exploring 5 backup QB options for the Packers

Five potential backup QB options for the Packers in 2024.

While the Green Bay Packers have their starting quarterback figured out, not much can be said for the backup position. While Jordan Love is primed to have a big season and there’s no questions surrounding his ability, injuries can occur, and having a solid backup is essential for keeping the team’s season on track.

With free agency still offering a few viable options and some in-house candidates competing for the role, the Packers have a range of choices. Here’s a look at some key names that could provide the necessary support behind Love:

1) Ryan Tannehill

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Ryan Tannehill brings a wealth of starting experience to the table, and his connection to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur makes him an intriguing option. Tannehill enjoyed a career resurgence with the Tennessee Titans in 2019 under Arthur Smith, who took over for LaFleur as offensive coordinator and ran a similar scheme. His ability to thrive in a play-action-heavy system mirrors much of what the Packers do offensively, making him a seamless fit should he return to that style of play.

With the poor play from Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, the Packers could use a veteran quarterback in case Love goes down, especially if the roster is built to win. If Green Bay can strike a deal that fits their cap situation, Tannehill could serve as a reliable safety net behind Love.

2. Trevor Siemian

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Siemian has become a well-known name in the backup quarterback ranks. With starting experience and a knack for stepping into challenging situations, Siemian could provide the Packers with a dependable and cost-effective option. Over the years, he has proven to be a steady hand for teams like the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears.

Siemian’s experience in various offensive systems would make him a valuable asset to Green Bay, especially in a backup role where reliability and game management are paramount. He understands the role of a backup quarterback and has shown he can deliver when the pressure is on, making him an ideal candidate for the Packers if they’re looking for an experienced yet affordable option.

3. Blaine Gabbert

Dec 30, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) talks with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Blaine Gabbert has carved out a solid career as a backup quarterback and could be a strong addition to the Packers’ quarterback room. Gabbert has spent time with several teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he gained valuable experience as a reliable second-string option. In 2018, Gabbert was the backup for Marcus Mariota while Matt LaFleur was the offensive coordinator for the Titans.

Gabbert is known for his preparation and ability to step in when needed, making him a good fit for a Packers team looking for stability at the position. While Gabbert hasn’t been a regular starter, his extensive experience as a backup could help provide depth behind Love.

4. Michael Pratt

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – MAY 03: Michael Pratt #17 of the Green Bay Packers participates in drills during the rookie minicamp at Ray Nitschke Field on May 03, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Michael Pratt had a standout college career and brings athleticism and playmaking ability to the quarterback position. His raw talent and potential make him an exciting prospect for the Packers, and he could develop into a reliable backup with the right coaching and experience.

While it’s unlikely that Pratt would be thrust into action early in his career, his presence in the quarterback room adds depth and a long-term option for the Packers. If they’re willing to develop Pratt, he could be a future backup but there could be growing pains and the inexperience if he’s ever thrown into a situation.

5. Sean Clifford

Aug 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Sean Clifford (6) runs the ball as he looks for a downfield receiver during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Clifford is already in Green Bay as a developmental quarterback and could be a wildcard option for the backup role. Clifford is still adjusting to the NFL but has struggled so far this preseason.

Clifford’s familiarity with the Packers’ system gives him a head start on competing for the backup spot. If he turns it around at some point during preseason, the Packers could opt to keep Clifford in-house as the primary backup for Love.

The Packers have a range of options to fill the backup quarterback role. Veterans like Ryan Tannehill, Trevor Siemian, and Blaine Gabbert bring experience and a steady hand, while in-house options like Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt provide developmental potential. The decision ultimately depends on whether the Packers prioritize veteran experience or choose to cultivate younger talent behind Jordan Love.

Whichever direction they choose, the Packers need to ensure they have a reliable option behind Love to navigate the challenges of the 2024 season.

Ravens rule out signing a free agent quarterback to backup Lamar Jackson

The Ravens are up against it with the salary cap, so they won’t be splashing the cash on a new QB.

Given how poor Josh Johnson looked in the preseason opener, as he went 4-12 passing for 62 yards in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, there has been speculation about the Baltimore Ravens and the quarterback position.

With Ryan Tannehill still available on the open market, it has been hypothesized that the Ravens could bring him in as the number two behind Lamar Jackson.

After all, Tannehill has a career passer rating of 91.2, a career completion percentage of 64.2, 4,764 yards, and 216 TD passes.

According to Ravens.com editorial director Ryan Mink, however, it won’t happen.

“No, the Ravens are not going to bring in a different backup quarterback,” Mink wrote in a mailbag piece for the team’s website.

As he pointed out, the Ravens are up against it with the salary cap, so they won’t be splashing the cash on a new QB. That effectively rules out Tannehill, who still has enough market value to command a decent wage.

Given the events in Minnesota related to J.J. McCarthy, he could be holding out for that opportunity, and it may come sooner rather than later. The rookie Michigan man suffered a torn meniscus, effectively ending his 2024 season,

Tannehill is being linked to the Vikings, and that situation might be best for all involved.

There is a big drop-off in quality after Tannehill on the list of free-agent quarterbacks. Trevor Siemian might be the next man up, but his acquisition might not really excite anybody within the Ravens fanbase.

The Northwestern alum is best known for his days in Denver, where he had a starting stint but also won a Super Bowl as a third-stringer. His career passer rating is a solid but not spectacular 78.7.

Then there is Blaine Gabbert, who, simply put, is barely hanging on in the league. He started one game last season for the Kansas City Chiefs after not starting one since 2018.

He has won two Super Bowls though, as a backup. Maybe this is why the Ravens won’t make a move for a free-agent signal caller. The free agent market is slim pickings right now.

Should Ravens sign QB Ryan Tannehill after poor performance by backups in preseason opener?

Should Ravens sign QB Ryan Tannehill after poor performance by the backups in preseason opener?

Offensive highlights were hard to come by for the Baltimore Ravens in their 16-13 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens had trouble moving the ball through the air, finishing the game with a measly 82 passing yards on 22 completions between veteran quarterback Josh Johnson and rookie sixth-rounder Devin Leary.

The passing attack was not expected to light up the scoreboard when two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and several other starters were not on the field. Still, Baltimore cannot be pleased with such a meager operation.

The performance has led to questions regarding the state of the Ravens’ quarterback room and the dire outlook if Jackson were to miss any time during the season. With this in mind, should Baltimore look to add another signal caller to serve as a potential backup to Jackson?

With the bulk of the offseason already over, throwing another quarterback in the mix to compete with the 38-year-old Johnson could be difficult, especially considering that the established journeyman spent last year in the system. A new quarterback would have to catch up quickly to supplant Johnson as the No. 2 option behind Jackson, but that doesn’t mean the Ravens still can’t look to add another veteran to the mix to act as a third quarterback with the potential to become the primary backup down the road.

A popular name being thrown around is quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill, 36, turned his career around when he joined the Tennessee Titans in 2019 following an up-and-down seven-year stint with the Miami Dolphins. Tannehill’s efforts in leading the Titans to a playoff berth in his first season with the team earned him Comeback Player of the Year honors and a spot in the Pro Bowl. Once in the playoffs, Tennessee knocked off Tom Brady and the Patriots in the wild-card round and a 14-2 Baltimore squad in the divisional round the next week before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

Tannehill’s last season with the Titans in 2023 was rocky, as he threw for four touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games as the starter. Still, the veteran can win a few games with a talented team such as the Ravens if Jackson were to go down. The primary question at this point is Tannehill’s asking price and whether or not he is content as a backup or would rather wait it out and see if another team comes calling later in the season due to an injury to their starting quarterback.

Another plus for Tannehill is his experience alongside running back Derrick Henry, whom the Ravens signed this offseason. The two were together for the entirety of Tannehill’s time in Tennessee.

In the end, if Jackson goes down for an extended period with an injury, Baltimore’s chances as a serious contender will plummet. A quarterback like Tannehill could help wade through muddy waters in the possibility that Jackson would miss only a handful of games. The Cleveland Browns were indeed thankful to have quarterback Joe Flacco last season following the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson, as the former Raven led the team to the playoffs straight from the couch.

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Former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill still wants to play, but is enjoying his time away

Ryan Tannehill is ready to play, but enjoying his time away.

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill still wants to play. After 12 NFL seasons, including the previous five with the Titans, Tannehill is a free agent as training camps across the NFL opened over the past two weeks.

It’s an unusual position for Tannehill, the Dolphins’ first-round pick in 2012. He has played in 155 career games, with 151 starts. Tannehill was Tennessee’s primary quarterback for the past five seasons until last season when he gave way to then-rookie Will Levis.

With a lack of quality quarterbacks across the NFL, Tannehill could still start for some teams. If nothing else, he’d be an elite backup. As for Tannehill, he still wants to play but is also enjoying some time away from the game for family reasons.

“I’m staying in shape and staying ready if the right thing pops up and comes available,” Tannehill told “Scoop City” podcast via John Glennon of Nashville Post. “But also, at the same time, really enjoying where I’m at and the time with the family.”

Tannehill can afford to wait. Teams will call. In fact, teams have likely already tried to sign Tannehill, but it’s been in his best interest to wait. At this time of year, starting-caliber quarterbacks who have consistently won in the NFL are rarely available — especially those who can still play.

“Honestly, it feels good … it’s pretty good,” Tannehill said of where he is currently. “It’s a weird feeling, right? Just because I’ve done it for so long and loved every step of the way. But my son’s birthday is tomorrow. I’m going to get to celebrate my son’s birthday fully and not be in training camp, so I’m really excited for that. Just spending a lot of quality family time together.

Tannehill deserved a break after a difficult 2023 season with the Titans.

NFL teams often wait until after Week 1 to sign veteran players, so their contract aren’t guaranteed for the upcoming season. That could be what teams are waiting for with Tannehill, or he could be waiting for an injury, leading to a desperate to sign him for some guaranteed cash.

Why Aaron Rodgers once studied Ryan Tannehill’s tape

Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers once studied Ryan Tannehill’s tape to get better in one particular area.

If there’s one thing nobody can take away from former Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, it was his toughness and the fact that he had a special ability to stand in the pocket and deliver the football accurately despite imminent threat and being blind off play-action.

In fact, a future Hall of Famer actually studied Tannehill’s tape in order to improve in that area and called the former Titans signal-caller the best to do it.

Per Kevin Clark on the “This is Football” podcast, Aaron Rodgers used clips of Tannehill to learn how to get better at standing in the pocket and delivering blind throws when he was learning head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense with the Green Bay Packers.

LaFleur was the Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2018 before getting the job with the Packers in 2019, the same year Tannehill was traded to the Titans.

Of course, if Rodgers was watching Tannehill ahead of the first season of LaFleur’s tenure, he would be watching Tannehill’s Miami Dolphins days. That said, we saw Tannehill thrive plenty in that situation over five seasons with the Titans.

Tennessee had a heavy play-action offense and Tannehill was a great fit for it because of the aforementioned skill. But he also had to deal with shoddy protection most years and had no choice but to stand tough in the pocket and let it rip.

Tannehill’s toughness in the pocket was admirable to say the least, and it’s one thing we’ll remember the most about his days with the Titans.

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Broncos named best landing spot for ex-Titans QB Ryan Tannehill

PFF believes the Broncos are the best fit for ex-Titans QB Ryan Tannehill in free agency.

The Tennessee Titans have officially entered the Will Levis era, meaning that quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be moving on to a different team in 2024.

Tannehill was traded to the Titans in March 2019 and the original plan was to be the backup to Marcus Mariota. However, in Week 6 of that season, the former Texas A&M standout took over in the second half.

And the rest, as they say, is history — Tannehill guided the Titans to the AFC Championship Game and was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

In five years with Tennessee, Tannehill had his ups and downs but experienced a career rejuvenation overall, highlighted by his 2020 season that saw him throw for 3,819 yards and a 33-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

At this point in his career, the 36-year-old can still play in the National Football League. Any team needing a bridge quarterback while allowing a young player to develop and learn behind a veteran could (and should) openly welcome Tannehill to their locker room.

As such, Pro Football Focus‘ Brad Spielberger pegged the Denver Broncos, a team that could be in that exact situation, as the best landing spot for Tannehill. 

Tannehill will be 36 years old in 2024, coming off a $27 million salary on the final year of his extension signed in 2020, but he could still be a bridge starter to a young quarterback, much like he was this past season with the Tennessee Titans and Will Levis. Tannehill is a good athlete who wins off play action and with solid intermediate accuracy on rollouts. His pressure-to-sack rate has been too high for a few years now, but in his defense, he was operating behind a very porous offensive line with a pass-catching corps that did not create quick separation.

With Denver moving on from Russell Wilson this offseason, the Broncos’ quarterbacks on the roster going into the 2024 NFL draft are Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. 

With that room, Denver feels like a surefire bet to take a quarterback at some point, whether that be with the No. 12 overall pick or in the later rounds (the Broncos don’t have a second-round pick).

However, the Broncos may have to move up from No. 12 for some of the best quarterbacks in the draft, which isn’t guaranteed. If that fails, they could pounce on the second wave of signal-callers, a group that features player that may need more time to develop. 

Players like that could stand to watch how a veteran like Tannehill handles himself and the locker room while learning under his tutelage. 

Besides, who wouldn’t want to see Tanne-wheels at a mile high?

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Bears named best fit for ex-Titans QB Ryan Tannehill

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Bears are the best fit for ex-Titans QB Ryan Tannehill in free agency.

We’re officially through a full week of 2024 NFL free agency and there hasn’t been a peep about former Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who remains available in free agency.

In a recent article listing the best team fits for 20 remaining free agents, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell connected Tannehill to the Chicago Bears.

Here’s his thought process:

Best fit: Chicago Bears. The depth chart in Chicago consists of Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien. Tannehill’s not going to push likely No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams for the starting job, but a little bit of veteran experience in the quarterback room wouldn’t hurt.

With the Bears expected to take USC’s Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, having a veteran quarterback like Tannehill in the room wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Tannehill received plenty of flack for saying it wasn’t his job to mentor Malik Willis after the Titans drafted the Liberty product in 2022, but that comment was blown out of proportion and the veteran signal-caller was in a much different spot in his career, as he was still Tennessee’s starter.

At the end of the day, it’s the responsibility of the coaching staff to bring along a young quarterback, not his teammates.

Tannehill would enter a situation in Chicago in which he’d be the backup, and likely with the understanding that part of his job is to help Williams in any way that he can, which would be valuable.

Not to mention, if Williams gets hurt for any length of time, Tannehill is a great option for the Bears to have to keep the team afloat during a season in which Chicago will no doubt have playoff aspirations.

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