The longer the NFL’s offseason continues, the more Ryan Tannehill’s options for 2024 seem to be dwindling.
A starter for the majority of his five seasons with the Titans, Tannehill made it clear at the end of the 2023 season he wasn’t ready to hang up his cleats at age 35.
"I know I can keep playing," Tannehill said after guiding Tennessee to a win over Jacksonville in the season finale. "I don’t know what the future holds. We’ll see and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. But I know I can keep playing. I feel good. I feel confident that given the right opportunity and the right place, I’d love to keep playing."
That last comment would seem to indicate Tannehill wants to be selective about finding a landing place for 2024, presumably wanting to find a team that would at least give him an opportunity to battle for a starting job.
It would be hard to blame Tannehill for feeling that way, considering he has been a starter for the past 11 seasons, including last year in Tennessee for the first six games before his injury opened the door for then-rookie Will Levis to take over.
But after all the quarterback wheeling and dealing, trades and signings over the past few weeks, it’s difficult to find many open spots at the position around the NFL — let alone open spots that would allow Tannehill to compete for a starter’s role.
The most logical landing site at this point appears to be Denver, where the Broncos’ quarterback depth chart — after releasing Russell Wilson — consists of Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. Surely Denver coach Sean Payton would prefer Tannehill, even after his struggles last season (four TD passes, seven interceptions, 78.5 QB rating), to either of his current options.
But Denver’s situation becomes more complicated considering the Broncos own the 12th overall pick of the draft, which the team could use on a quarterback like J.J. McCarthy if available — or even either Michael Penix or Bo Nix.
There are a handful of other organizations with similar quarterback situations, ones that will almost certainly be impacted and filled out by the first round of the draft: Chicago, Washington and New England obviously fit the bill, with teams like Minnesota and Las Vegas possibilities as well.
It seems a little shocking Tannehill’s name hasn’t come up so far this offseason, given the significant number of quarterback transactions that have occurred since the end of the 2023 season.
We've seen at least 16 quarterbacks signed since the league’s 2024 year began: Jacoby Brissett (Patriots); Kirk Cousins (Falcons); Sam Darnold (Vikings); Josh Dobbs (49ers); Joe Flacco (Colts); Jimmy Garoppolo (Rams); Tyler Huntley (Browns); Drew Lock (Giants); Marcus Mariota (Commanders); Gardner Minshew (Raiders); Nathan Peterman (Saints); Mason Rudolph (Titans); Tyrod Taylor (Jets); Mitch Trubisky (Bills); Wilson (Steelers); and Jameis Winston (Browns).
We’ve seen five more quarterbacks acquired in trades: Justin Fields (Steelers); Sam Howell (Seahawks); Mac Jones (Jaguars); Kenny Pickett (Eagles); and Desmond Ridder (Cardinals).
But we haven’t heard a peep about any team actively seeking Tannehill.
Why the seeming lack of interest in a quarterback who finished last year well, posting QB ratings of 84.1, 101.7 and 93.1 in his final three starts?
There are probably a number of intertwined reasons: First, as referenced earlier, Tannehill may have narrowed his options by looking for the right fit and the right contract, as opposed to being willing to go just anywhere at any price.
Second, teams might be hesitant to commit to a soon to be 36-year-old who has been knocked out of the lineup with the same (ankle) injury three times in the last two years. Third, Tannehill’s overall performance last season was not good, as he threw four touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games, posting a 78.5 quarterback rating.
It would be stunning to see Tannehill unsigned heading into the 2024 season, as he is undoubtedly one of the best 64 quarterbacks in the NFL.
But he may want a legitimate chance (and corresponding contract) to show he’s still one of the best 32, and it’s simply hard to figure just when and where Tannehill will find that opportunity.