Former Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is the best-remaining signal-caller on the free agent market. Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is firmly in our rearview mirror, we've seen veteran free agency pick up steam. The likes of Tyler Boyd and Odell Beckham Jr. are among the recent signings.
A four-year starter in Tennessee that took the Titans to the AFC Championship Game in 2019, Tannehill is the premier backup quarterback who's still searching for a contract. Several franchises looking to upgrade their quarterback room should possess an interest in signing Tannehill. His market should intensify shortly.
We've identified three ideal landing spots for Tannehill's services.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
New Chargers general manager Joe Horitz and head coach Jim Harbaugh have spent the offseason building an offense that they believe will better support franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. A broken index finger suffered in Week 14 landed Herbert on season-ending IR. That prompted the new regime to focus on improving the offensive line, a mission that was accomplished by drafting offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 5 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
All of that would come undone if the Chargers' new decision-makers aren’t better prepared for a Herbert injury than the previous one was. Easton Stick and Max Duggan are currently expected to battle throughout training camp for the right to back-up Herbert. Talk about a lackluster competition. The Chargers are playoff contenders with Herbert at the helm. Tannehill would keep them afloat if Herbert had to miss a few weeks.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Buccaneers committed to Baker Mayfield this offseason via a three-year contract worth $100 million after the former No. 1 overall pick led them to an NFC South division title and postseason win. Mayfield earned the right to run it back.
Former Los Angeles Rams and Kentucky Wildcats offensive coordinator Liam Coen is the new OC, replacing the Carolina-bound Dave Canales. Tannehill is a significantly better fit to operate Coen's offense than current backup Kyle Trask. Coen runs a variation of the West Coast Offense that Tannehill played in under Matt LaFleur, Arthur Smith, and Todd Downing in Tennessee. Trask's time in Tampa is running out.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Sean McVay once contemplated retirement, but he's been rejuvenated as the Rams' head coach. It was a refreshing 2023 season for the 10-7 Rams, who qualified for the playoffs and pushed the Detroit Lions to the brink in the wild-card round. The key to McVay's latest success was a healthy Matthew Stafford, who missed the majority of the disappointing 2022 campaign via injury. The Rams crawled to a 5-12 record then.
The Rams remain in win-now mode and McVay can't risk a repeat of 2022. They arguably have the worst backup quarterback situation in the league with Jimmy Garoppolo suspended for the opening two games of the 2024 season, and only Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn behind him. Garoppolo shouldn't be handed anything given his discipline for violating the league's performance-enhancing policy. Tannehill is available now and could push Garoppolo for QB2 duties.