Everyone knows you can’t judge a QB until their 7th season. Right? Ryan Tannehill the 7th year bump.
For most people, Ryan Tannehill is a name that doesn’t bring elite QB play to mind. But for the last 7 weeks, he has been one of the best players in the NFL.
When Tannehill took over for the 2-4 Tennessee Titans, their season looked all but over. The Titans were averaging 16.3 PPG and had only scored 11 TD’s in 6 games. To say the least, their offense was stagnant.
The Titans decided to bench Marcus Mariota and start Ryan Tannehill at QB after this slow start. Since then the Titans have scored 31 TD’s which is 2nd in the NFL. From week 7 to 14 only the Ravens have scored touchdowns at a higher rate per drive than the Titans. Tannehill also leads the league in passer rating since taking over with a 118.5 rating.
And if names mean more to you than numbers here’s some names for you; since week 7 Tannehill has a better Qb rating than Drew Brees, more yards than Aaron Rodgers, more TDs than Brady, fewer picks than Russell Wilson, and a higher completion percentage than Lamar Jackson.
Nobody saw this offensive explosion coming especially the Miami Dolphins. They traded Tannehill for a new washing machine. They are also paying him 19 million dollars to play for the Titans. But how do the Titans handle Tannehill after the season? Is this performance a flash in the pan? Or has the veteran QB taken the next step he never could in Miami?
If you were looking for reasons Ryan never succeeded in Miami this way, it’s easy to find. Besides the dysfunctional nature of the Dolphins organization, Tannehill ran for his life in Miami. In every season as the Dolphins starter, Tannehill finished top 10 in sacks. Including 2013 when he finished first, being sacked 58 times that season.
The Titans will likely part ways with Mariota after the season and will have to make a decision on Tannehill. Pay him as the elite QB he has performed like for 7 weeks, or look elsewhere for a more cap-friendly player.
My guess is they will keep him around, but they better be on the lookout for that famous 8th-year slump.
