NFL Insider Ian Rapoport Talks Tannehill Benching, Malik Willis Improvement: 'I Don't Know That He Sucks Anymore'
With the struggles of starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill being the top talking point around the Tennessee Titans after a Week 1 loss, it is no surprise even the national media is starting to discuss Tannehill's hold on his job.
That included NFL Network's Ian Rapoport who discussed the possibility of benching Tannehill on "The Insiders" on Thursday.
"I would always say no, that it's ridiculous, right, because it's literally one game," Rapoport explained, "but it's not really one game because it was also kind of last year."
Rapoport also referenced Titans head coach Mike Vrabel's comments from Monday when he stated clearly the Titans needed more from Tannehill and needed him to not throw into double coverage.
Rapoport talked about how rare it is to see a coach be so blunt about his quarterback's performance and gave a, let's say, strange review of Malik Willis.
"That is rare. I cannot think really in recent memory when you hear a coach speak — he's not wrong obviously, of course he's right. That's pretty real and obviously him and Tannehill have to have a good relationship for him to be able to say that publicly."
"That to me Mike (Garafolo), at least kind of starts the clock of like 'we're going to at least think about it' and I know everyone sort of decided that Malik Willis sucks after last year. Sounds like he had a really good camp and I don't know that he sucks anymore. He might actually be an interesting option here for the Titans. We'll see though."
Interesting language to describe Willis' performance in 2022 and where he will be now, but the overall point Rapoport is making can't be ignored. Willis has improved from last season, as he would be expected to do, and did have some good moments in the preseason, along with too many turnovers.
If Tannehill's performance continues to be poor, it is not unlikely the Titans do decide to get a look at one of their young passers in Willis or rookie Will Levis. For the time being though, the Titans can't focus on this, as Tannehill is sure to improve and gives the Titans their best shot at wins in 2023.
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