NFL Trade Rumors: Falcons Reunite Titans QB Ryan Tannehill and Coach Arthur Smith
Despite the numerous opportunities, the Atlanta Falcons are still riding with Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Even after passing up on the chances to sign a proven starter like Lamar Jackson or Jimmy Garropolo in free agency, Atlanta is still being linked to quarterback trade rumors.
The latest is Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans, whose time as a starter looks to be at an end after the franchise spent their second and third-round picks on Will Levis and Malik Willis in consecutive NFL Drafts. But why are the Falcons being listed as a contender for the 11-year veteran?
The connection between Tannehill and Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who worked together in Tennessee before the Falcons hired the latter. A recently projected trade from Bleacher Report has the Falcons giving up their 2024 third-round pick in exchange for Tannehill and the Titans' 2024 fourth-round pick.
"If the Falcons acquired Tannehill from the Titans, we shouldn't be completely shocked because of his history with head coach Arthur Smith, who served as his offensive coordinator between 2019 and 2020," Bleacher Report writes. "On the other hand, the Falcons have backed second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder as the starter with their words and actions this offseason."
The only quarterback that the Falcons have signed this offseason has been Taylor Heinicke, who isn't expected to be anything more than Ridder's backup. Yet, the idea of Tannehill joining the Falcons may excite those not sold on Ridder's abilities to lead them to the playoffs just yet. But...
It doesn't seem likely that the Falcons are interested, despite the familiarity Smith and Tannehill share from their time in Tennessee.
The former Texas A&M Aggie had one of the more successful seasons under Smith's tutelage in 2020, throwing for 3,819 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 65.5 percent of his throws.
The current makeup of the Falcons' offense is identical to what Tannehill ran under Smith, yet as Bleacher Report writes, if Atlanta has held faith in Ridder to this point, why would they break it now?
A deal between the Falcons and Titans does seem enticing, especially if Tannehill would consider being a backup option for Ridder. But even if he is not, and he sticks it out in Tennessee, Tannehill could be an option for a midseason trade if Ridder does not work out for the Falcons as expected.
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