Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside is entering his third season in the NFL, and it’s by far the biggest of his young career as he’ll have a chance to compete for the backup quarterback job behind Ryan Tannehill.
In 2019, the backup job was already taken by Tannehill, who eventually went on to become the team’s starter over Marcus Mariota.
The best shot Woodside had at making the roster was to be the third string behind Tannehill and Mariota, but he ended up landing on the practice squad instead. His season would later come to an end early thanks to an elbow injury.
Woodside did show some flashes during the preseason, though, which certainly gives him something to build on in 2020.
This year there is no clear-cut backup on the Titans’ roster, which leaves an opening for Woodside to make the team as the No. 2 quarterback.
However, he’ll first have to deal with a competition in training camp with seventh-round pick, Cole McDonald, and there’s a chance the Titans add a veteran signal-caller to the mix at some point before camp.
Regardless, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online, Woodside sees the chance to become the team’s backup as “a big opportunity”.
“It is definitely a big opportunity, and I am very grateful that the Titans have invested some time in me,” Woodside said. “The best thing I can do is control what I can control and that is my attitude – study the game, and put in the preparation. With all those things, you have to try and find a way to be successful.”
Until he can return to the practice facility, Woodside has been working out at home. Wide receiver A.J. Brown recently revealed he and Woodside have also been getting together to practice, and the Ole Miss product recently endorsed his workout mate on Twitter.
My guy! 💙🙏🏻
— Logan Woodside (@LwoodsideQB5) May 22, 2020
While McDonald could potentially derail his quest to become the backup, Woodside says he’s eager to get to work with the rookie, who he has watched tape of.
“I am excited for him and for all the rookies to get here and get to work,” Woodside said. “I’ve seen good tape on him and I’m excited to get to work with him.”
Woodside has the slight edge in experience over McDonald based on the fact that he has played in preseason games and knows the Titans’ offense, but the Toledo product has still never taken a regular season snap.
What Woodside doesn’t have is the kind of skill set McDonald brings to the table. The Hawaii product has great size, a strong arm and the kind of elite athleticism that Woodside doesn’t; although the progress McDonald makes on fixing his throwing motion could make or break him.
There’s no telling which way this competition will go, but there’s no question it adds a bit more intrigue to training camp and the preseason.
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