The Tennessee Titans' 2021 playoff run was one-and-done, as they came away with a one-score defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC divisional round.
Much blame for the loss was centered on quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The veteran passer had his fair share of struggles in moving the ball downfield against the Bengals defense, as he wound up throwing a trio of interceptions.
Titans running back Derrick Henry does not believe that Tannehill should be the scapegoat for the loss. In the big picture, he also has much confidence in the ninth-year passer moving forward, which he opened about to Titans.com.
“At this point, people are looking to find a scapegoat and want to blame someone,” Henry said. “We know what comes with the territory when you have high expectations, and you don't meet that expectation. But that's just what it is.
“Ryan has been in this league for a long time and he is a great player. We all take on the criticism – I take it on. It is a team sport, and not just one player. You just have to accept it for what it is, and you can't let it get you down, and cause you to beat yourself up.”
At the least, Henry aspires to see last month's playoff elimination fuel Tannehill heading into the 2022 campaign.
“You have to let it motivate you, and make you come back better,” Henry said. “He has to know he has his teammates behind (him), and everybody else in the organization as well.”
Tannehill was much aware that he did not have his best campaign in his third season with the Titans, as he noted after the team’s playoff loss to the Bengals that he sees there is plenty with his play he can “grow from, learn from.”
Although there was much speculation following the loss that the Titans would consider parting ways with Tannehill, general manager Jon Robinson did recently confirm that “he’s our quarterback.”
An intriguing offseason sure awaits Tennessee.
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