Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
NASHVILLE — The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly considering signing Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who will become a free agency soon. Tannehill is one of 24 Titans players whose contracts expire, including running back Derrick Henry. According to NFL Network, the Pittsburgh Steelers are considering reuniting Tannehill with former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
“With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the expectation is Pittsburgh will explore adding free agent Ryan Tannehill, who had his best years with the Titans while Smith was the OC there,” a source close to the NFL said.
Tannehill, 35, spent the last five seasons with the Titans. He previously spent six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Tannehill has started 63 games for the Titans, winning 39 of them. From 2019 to 2021, he played a key role in the Titans’ three straight postseason appearances. Tannehill’s first two postseason seasons were spent with Smith as the Titans’ offensive coordinator.
In 2019, Ryan Tannehill began as a backup quarterback before taking over for Marcus Mariota. He appeared in 12 games, including 10 starts, and passed for 2,742 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Tannehill’s contribution helped the Tennessee Titans advance to their first AFC Championship Game since 2002. The following season, Tannehill had 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, completing 65.5% of his throws for 3,819 yards.
Tannehill completed 64.8 percent of his throws last season, totaling 1,616 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions in ten games and eight starts. Tannehill struggled with injuries and eventually lost his starting spot to youngster Will Levis.
Tannehill’s name did not appear in new coach Brian Callahan’s inaugural news conference, therefore it appears unlikely that the Titans will re-sign him. Everything suggests that Levis will be the team’s quarterback in the future. However, Smith’s teaching may unleash something in Tannehill, making this a win-win situation for everyone involved.
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Tennessee’s roster includes three cut possibilities heading into the 2024 summer.
The Tennessee Titans are at a crossroads as they approach the 2024 NFL offseason. Following a poor 6-11 record in 2023 and an absence from the playoffs, the squad faces challenging roster considerations. This research will look at the potential departure of important players and the repercussions for the squad.
The Titans sought to improve on their poor 7-10 record in 2022 and return to the playoffs after missing out for the first time since 2018. However, after a Week 15 overtime loss to the Houston Texans, their postseason hopes were shattered for the second straight season. A tight 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16 solidified their status at the bottom of the AFC South standings. As a result, the Titans’ 7-10 record in 2022 remained unchanged. Throughout the season, they faced numerous problems, including injuries and coaching issues. As a result, on January 9, the Titans removed head coach Mike Vrabel from his duties.
Offseason Considerations:
The Titans’ major needs are aligned with high-value positions that every team requires. This emphasizes the need for the squad to begin on a full rebuilding process. Prioritizing draft pick acquisitions is critical for the Titans. That’s due to their low representation in the top 100 picks, with only picks at No. 7 and 38.
Given the present roster situation, DeAndre Hopkins appears to be an unlikely long-term fit. Sure, the 31-year-old proved his worth as a major receiving option this season. However, his efficacy may decrease by the time the Titans resume competitiveness. Furthermore, despite Andre Dillard’s disappointing performance last season, his position as a tackle may pique the eye of organizations willing to take a chance on a former first-round choice.
Offseason Priority
The prior season’s offensive line change was disastrous. Dillard, in particular, delivered a dismal performance. In fact, some actual turnstiles appeared more effective than the offensive tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 12 sacks, which tied for the most of any offensive lineman. Peter Skoronski, a first-round pick, suffered normal oscillations and should improve in his second year. Nonetheless, the injury-plagued line remained one of the NFL’s poorest pass protection units, struggling to create running lanes.
Tennessee must seek modifications to protect Will Levis. Brian Callahan, the newly appointed head coach, may try courting his former colleague Jonah Williams, who struggled in Cincinnati but could be an upgrade for the Titans. Brian’s father, accomplished offensive line coach Bill Callahan, is also on the Tennessee coaching staff, which should provide a big benefit in this quest.
Here, we’ll look at the three cut possibilities on the Tennessee Titans’ roster heading into the 2024 NFL offseason.
Malik Willis, quarterback.
The Titans have expressed a preference for Will Levis over Malik Willis. This was clear from Willis’ limited playing time this season. Despite being a third-round choice, Willis only played 22 snaps and attempted five passes. Yes, the Titans may keep him as an inexpensive backup for Levis. However, getting a seasoned veteran may be a more wise decision, especially given their financial freedom. Willis’ exit may provide him a fresh start while saving the Titans about $1 million in contract space.
Andre Dillard, occupational therapist
Andre Dillard’s contract, which now makes him the Titans’ fourth-highest earning, represents a significant investment. This is especially true for a left tackle who battled throughout the 2023 season. Despite just playing 562 snaps, Dillard ranked among the league leaders in sacks allowed. This exposed his performance issues. If the Titans want to build their squad around Will Levis, then improving productivity becomes critical. This renders Dillard an unlikely option for the future. While parting ways with Dillard may result in dead cap charges, a post-June 1 cut would provide $6.4 million in 2024 cap room. However, given his previous troubles, finding a trade partner may prove difficult.
Luke Gifford, linebacker
Despite their abundant salary space, the Titans may attempt to shore up their financial resources by contemplating Luke Gifford as a potential cap casualty. Despite appearing in 11 games before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury, Gifford made his most significant contributions on special teams. He played only eight defensive snaps. Releasing Gifford could save the Titans $1.9 million in cap space. This provides them more freedom in managing their offseason roster.
Looking ahead.
As the Tennessee Titans navigate the intricacies of the 2024 NFL offseason, they must make key roster decisions. With a combination of strategic releases and prospective purchases, the Titans want to reclaim their winning ways in the coming season. The examination of cut candidates demonstrates the team’s dedication to resource optimization while cultivating an excellence culture. As they continue on the process of reshaping their roster, the Titans remain focused on strengthening their lineup and establishing a course for title contention in the coming seasons. The Titans hope to return to postseason contention with strategic decisions and prudent investments.
