Ryan Tannehill was one of five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins used the eighth overall pick on the Texas A&M product. He spent the first seven years of his career in Miami until the two sides finally parted ways.
The Dolphins were forced to admit they made a mistake by offering Tannehill such a large contract and traded him to the Tennessee Titans. He was eventually named the starting quarterback when Marcus Mariota inevitably regressed as a player.
Since Tannehill became the starter, the Titans have gone 5-2 and he has completed 72.7% of his passes for 1,602 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. It's important to note that he has lost three fumbles as well.
The completion percentage that Tannehill has produced shows that he is comfortable in the team's system. This is leading to him making better decisions and not turning the ball over as much. For reference, he threw double-digit interceptions during his first five professional seasons.
The Mariota era is over in Tennessee. Is it Tannehill time or do the Titans need to target a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Is Tannehill the long-term answer?
It's important to note that Tannehill is already 31-years-old. It is unlikely that he will be the long-term answer for the Titans at quarterback. Unlikely, but not impossible. There is also plenty of time for the situation to change between now and the end of the season.
Tannehill has brought the Titans back to relevance. They are currently 7-5 and just a game behind the Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South. If Tannehill finishes strong and leads the Titans to the playoffs, how could he not be the starter next season?
This is where the situation gets dicey. Tennessee could still opt to draft a quarterback this year since the class is loaded. That does not mean that they will have to start the rookie, though. There is nothing wrong with a second or third round quarterback sitting for a season or two.
Tannehill signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Titans in the offseason. He will be a free agent after the season and has earned an NFL contract somewhere. If the Titans decide to bring him back, what contract will he command? Bringing Tannehill back within a reasonable budget would not be the worst move but it's crucial to emphasize that they should not overpay for the one-time bust quarterback.
The situation in Tennessee will depend on how the rest of the season plays out. Is Tannehill the long-term answer? Right now no. There is little chance that he is the quarterback in Tennessee in four years. that does not mean that he cannot earn himself one more contract for next season.
Regardless, the Titans should be looking heavily into quarterbacks in the draft.
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