It’s been a rough 2023 season for Ryan Tannehill. The Tennessee Titans quarterback was largely ineffective in six early starts, then was sidelined by an injury and has seemingly fallen out of favor after being usurped as the starter by rookie Will Levis.
It appeared the situation had come to a head on Wednesday when a Twitter account posing as an ESPN reporter named Jeff Simon tweeted that Tannehill had requested a release from the team.
The news quickly made the rounds across NFL media, but it may not be as credible as it first appeared.
Viral Account Does Not Work for ESPN
ESPN told Pro Football Network on Thursday that it has “no indication this person [Jeff Simon] works for ESPN and have no confirmation of what he is posting.”
That revelation pokes holes in the credibility of Simon’s claim that Tannehill had requested a release from the Titans. There has not been original reporting elsewhere from any credible news organization or otherwise that Tannehill has made such a request.
Simon’s tweet was initially reported as news by some NFL media, however, including The Pat McAfee Show, which later retracted its reporting.
If anyone is wondering why this tweet about Ryan Tannehill went viral, it was brought up on the Pat McAfee Show as breaking news. He later retracted it after the segment was over. pic.twitter.com/e5HolRXlia
— Matt Cannata (@CannataPFN) November 16, 2023
Ryan Tannehill’s 2023 Struggles
Rumors have swirled in recent days that Tannehill might request a release, given his declining role with the Titans.
Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel named Levis the team’s starting quarterback on Nov. 7, and Tannehill is listed as the co-backup with Malik Willis on the Titans’ unofficial depth chart that was last updated on Nov. 6.
Tannehill has been less than stellar so far this season, even before being sidelined due to injury. He has completed 98 of 158 pass attempts for 1,128 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions while also losing three fumbles as he started each of the Titans’ first six games of the season.
The veteran QB went down with an injury during Tennessee’s Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and has not played since. He was listed as out for the Titans’ games in Weeks 7-9 after not practicing during those weeks.
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Tannehill was then listed as questionable ahead of Tennessee’s Week 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being a limited participant in two of the week’s practices but ultimately was inactive once again.
On Wednesday, Tannehill was a full participant in practice as the Titans (3-6) prepare to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) on Sunday. Still, Levis is poised to make his fourth straight start amid an up-and-down beginning to his NFL career.
Levis burst onto the scene with 238 passing yards for four touchdowns in his NFL debut to lead the Titans past the Atlanta Falcons but has gone a combined 41 of 78 (52.6%) for 461 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in losses the last two weeks.
It’s unclear whether Tannehill might take over as Tennessee’s starting QB again if Levis continues to struggle or whether the Titans are set on seeing what their young rookie can do the rest of the year.
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