The NFL is expected to have 25 unrestricted quarterbacks in free agency for 2024. Current Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill will be on that list once the 2023 season wraps up.
Considering his veteran presence and past work guiding playoff teams, Tannehill will likely have some potential suitors seeking signal-caller help.
Where Does Ryan Tannehill Rank Among Best Free Agent QBs?
The Titans’ quarterback, who four seasons ago took the team to the AFC title game, is in the final year of his four-year, $118 million contract. Tannehill will be 35 and wound up losing his starting position to rookie Will Levis, so it’s safe to say he won’t be receiving a similar deal.
Levis has led Tennessee with 1,792 passing yards and eight touchdowns and has gone 3-5 as a starter. Tannehill is only 2-4 behind center and has fewer touchdowns (two) than picks (six).
Will Tannehill still be in high demand? PFN’s Dallas Robinson lists him as the eighth-best quarterback for the 2024 free agency class. The former first-round selection out of Texas A&M sits ahead of Tyler Huntley and Drew Lock — the latter recently winning over Seattle Seahawks fans with his epic fourth-quarter performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.
Will this mean Tannehill won’t be a hot commodity? Possibly. But, nevertheless, teams will need quarterback help once free agency begins in March.
Which NFL Teams Best Suit Tannehill?
Atlanta Falcons
It appears Arthur Smith has saved himself another year as head coach, with his Falcons still very much in the race for the NFC South title this late in the season.
Smith and Tannehill have a past together. They were in Nashville in 2019 and 2020 — which were the two best seasons for the Tennessee QB.
Tannehill earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2019 with Smith as his offensive coordinator; throwing for 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions while completing 70.3% of his throws. He followed by delivering a career-high 33 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
Atlanta could be in for swift QB changes in ’24 with Desmond Ridder having been replaced by Taylor Heinicke. Drafting a passer, though, could still be in the cards, especially with names like Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and finalist Bo Nix projected to go on Day 1.
Still, Tannehill can provide depth, knowledge of Smith’s offense, and be a potential mentor.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are in a precarious spot with their QB room.
Kirk Cousins, like Tannehill, is in his final contract year and is PFN’s No. 1 free agent passer. Minnesota also has to figure out what to do with midseason hero Joshua Dobbs, who eventually got replaced by Nick Mullens.
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Mullens is the only one of the three eligible to come back to the Vikings in 2025, which is the last year of his deal. Outside of him, 2023 fifth-rounder Jaren Hall is left.
Depth is needed. Tannehill could give the Vikings a trusted veteran for QB guru Kevin O’Connell.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa finds itself in its own tough spot. Baker Mayfield has looked more rejuvenated than ever before with 24 touchdowns and just eight interceptions through 14 games. He’s on pace to shatter his own career best of 27 touchdown passes from his rookie season.
But, he signed a one-year deal with the Bucs…making him a UFA next season.
Considering Mayfield’s renaissance, he could garner more attention than Tannehill or even Cousins, especially since he’s more youthful at 28. Perhaps the Bucs can still try to prevent him from drifting off.
However, if Mayfield leaves, Tannehill can keep the Bucs’ theme going of rolling with past starters behind center — a la Mayfield and Tom Brady.
New England Patriots
While the Vikings are in a rough spot, the Patriots are more of the no-brainer with their QB room. They need changes.
Mac Jones has likely played his final game with the Pats, as he’s never found his footing with the offense. Bailey Zappe has shown mixed results and is a restricted free agent in 2025. Additionally, preseason fan favorite Malik Cunningham was claimed by the Baltimore Ravens.
Drake Maye could be an option come draft day. Maye, though, could need a teacher if he ends up in Foxborough. Tannehill can be perfect here.
Las Vegas Raiders
Is Aidan O’Connell the true future of the Raiders?
The rookie fourth-rounder at times looked overwhelmed back there for Las Vegas. But that was before his epic four-touchdown outing in the 63-21 trouncing of the Los Angeles Chargers. If O’Connell’s anywhere near that kind of production for the rest of the season, the Silver and Black will become convinced to avoid drafting a passer.
MORE: Top Quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft
But there’s still the rest of the room to address. Jimmy Garoppolo proved he wasn’t the answer post Derek Carr. Considering his ties to fired head coach Josh McDaniels, Garoppolo could be next on the move — which would free up some money for Vegas by ending his three-year, $72 million.
But if things sour for the Raiders and owner Mark Davis brings in someone else over Antonio Pierce, the next head coach would likely want his guy via the draft, plus a veteran to show the way. Tannehill in Sin City presents a strong possibility.
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