Titans’ Offseason Positional Preview: Quarterback
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans’ quarterback spot is one of the biggest mysteries of the Titans’ 2023 offseason. The Titans have been connected to a few outside options in the rumor mill ranging from the rookies in the draft to veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr. What is the current status of the Titans’ quarterback room heading into the offseason? Let’s take a look at the way things stand now.
Under Contract
Ryan Tannehill – $36.6 Million Cap Hit
The conversation about Ryan Tannehill has been robust. The Titans have a ton of options with Tannehill, but none are guaranteed to be the right move. The Titans could move on from Tannehill via release and would save $17.8 million in cap space while eating $18.8 million in dead money. That is more dead money than savings, but for a team as cap strapped as the Titans, it may be a worthwhile move.
The Titans, of course, as was rumored earlier in the offseason, could trade Tannehill. They would save the money outlined above, but also get draft picks in return. All of that sounds fine on paper, but Tannehill is the second best quarterback of the Titans’ era and replacing him is no walk in the park. The team could release Tannehill as a “Post 6/1” move and save $27 million on the cap with only $9 million in dead money, but those savings don’t become available until June 2. Meaning it doesn’t help the Titans get cap compliant by March 15 and doesn’t help them sign free agents in March either.
The Titans could choose to extend Tannehill a few more years and in turn lower his cost on the cap for this season, but with how loud the noise is about moving on from him, that seems doubtful. Despite all the talk, what may be best for Tannehill and the Titans is to ride it out with Tannehill one more season until his contract is up. It is the least punitive move money-wise and ensures the Titans have a starting-quality quarterback in 2023.
Malik Willis – $1.1 Million Cap Hit
Malik Willis was not expected to be ready to start in year one of his NFL career when he was taken with pick 86 in the 2022 NFL Draft, but due to injuries he was thrust into starting three games. There were some flashes, but mostly it was a tough season for Willis that saw him end with a completion percentage of 50.8, 276 passing yards, zero passing touchdowns, three interceptions and a QBR of 12.6. Not great to say the least.
While there was an understanding that Willis would not be ready for full-time work in his first season, it is still fair to be skeptical about his long-term viability based on what we saw in 2022. Watching Willis get severely outplayed by a journeyman in Josh Dobbs after Dobbs had only been with the team for basically a week had to cause a loss of faith in some fans and maybe some in the organization.
At this time, it would not be prudent to move on from Willis, but if they did the penalty would not be harsh. Willis would result in $699k in dead money and $473k in savings. It is not inconceivable that the Titans would move on from Willis if they decided one of two things. First, if the Titans want to go up in the draft, or stay put, and draft a rookie passer, it would not make sense to have that player and Willis on the team. Second, if the Titans want the best back up possible in an attempt to win as much as possible in 2023, it’s likely Willis is not that. Expectation should be for Willis to be back, but there are certainly realistic routes where Willis is done in Tennessee after one year.
Pending Free Agents
Joshua Dobbs
After entering the NFL in 2018 out of the University of Tennessee, Dobbs finally got his first chance to start in 2022 back where he played his college ball. Dobbs started the final two games of the season for the Titans and despite the milquetoast performances he was met with massive fanfare. Mostly due to his time spent in Tennessee for college.
Dobbs lost both those starts, only completed 58.8% of his passes, threw for two interceptions with two lost fumbles while only throwing for two touchdowns and 411 yards. You wouldn’t think Dobbs played that poorly based on the fan reaction, but the reality is Dobbs is no more than a back up in the NFL, but that may be just what the Titans need.
If the Titans want to go with a route outlined above and have the best back up they can, Dobbs would be a nice fit. He clearly isn’t a starter, but in a pinch you could see how Dobbs could guide a better offensive unit to a win or two if the starter went down. Dobbs clearly outplayed Willis to the point the Titans gave him the starting role after being in the building for a little over a week.
Dobbs was one controversial fumble call away from ending the Jaguars’ season and putting the Titans in the playoffs in Week 18. While Dobbs playing for the Titans is a nice story due to the college link, Dobbs also is a truly viable back up in the league and if the Titans want the best back up they can get, Dobbs makes sense financially and skillset wise.
Titans Must Prioritize Simmons: Now that Super Bowl 57 has come and gone, we are officially full swing into the NFL offseason. While the Tennessee Titans have a few key free agents they should look into bringing back, one of their main priorities should be to bring back one of the defense's best players in All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. CLICK HERE
Titans 'Interested' in Carr: The Titans continue to be linked to outside quarterback options this offseason. This time it is Derek Carr, former Las Vegas Raider. CLICK HERE
Jets "Much Higher" On Tannehill: The New York Jets are “much higher” on Titans’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill than many people believe according to one prominent New York reporter. CLICK HERE
