Game manager. System quarterback. Paid to hand the ball to Derrick Henry. Those are three common descriptors of Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill and his game. It can be hard to stand out when you share the backfield with the 6’3”, 240-pound NFL rushing champion, but it’s time Ryan Tannehill shared in the spotlight. The Titans improved to 2-0 on Sunday, a feat last accomplished during the 2008 season. It wasn’t Derrick Henry, but Ryan Tannehill who led them here.
Time to Start Talking About Ryan Tannehill
The Jacksonville Jaguars were not going to let Derrick Henry beat them – not again. They were going to make Ryan Tannehill earn his $118 million dollar contract that he signed this off-season. He did not disappoint. Without his best receiver A.J. Brown on Sunday, Tannehill finished 18/24 passing for 239 yards and tied his career-high with four touchdown passes while committing no turnovers. More importantly, with the game tied and 3:29 left on the clock late in the fourth quarter, Tannehill led a game-winning drive. His second in as many games.
No stopping @ryantannehill1 today. #HaveADay@Titans | #Titans pic.twitter.com/AM7ex7kBw6
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2020
Tannehill’s Leadership
One thing is clear. Ryan Tannehill is the leader of this football team. The Titans re-signed him, and despite the many challenges of this year’s off-season, Tannehill focused on leading and improving this team. Living in South Florida, Tannehill arranged passing sessions with rising tight end Jonnu Smith, who he connected with twice for scores on Sunday, and rookie running back Darrynton Evans. As reported by Turron Davenport of ESPN, when asked about Ryan Tannehill, head coach Mike Vrabel said, “Ryan worked his way in there and played well. And then as that comfort level began to grow, he really expanded his leadership and then took off in the off-season. I’d say it’s better now than what it was last year. They respond to him.”
Tannehill’s Progression
The fear entering the 2020 season was a regression for Tannehill following his blazing play last year. It wasn’t a question of if, but rather, how much. So far, so good. Two games into the season, Ryan Tannehill has completed 70 percent of his passes for 488 yards, six touchdowns, and zero turnovers. Impressive numbers no doubt, but even more so when you consider the early season struggles of Derrick Henry. Through two games, Henry has rushed 56 times for 200 yards and no touchdowns, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry. Tannehill’s QBR is 83.2, good for fifth in the league behind only Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Russell Wilson. Those quarterbacks have four league MVP awards amongst them. Yes, Derrick Henry is elite, but so is Ryan Tannehill, and it’s time the league took notice.
Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans will look to improve to 3-0 next Sunday as they travel to Minneapolis to face the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings.
