Teams who are looking to rebuild like the Saints, Panthers may fight for the top remaining quarterback free agent, Ryan Tannehill this season. The NFL trade deadline may be over but teams may turn to the available market to add a few players to their roster even if they’re not contenders. It’s hard to imagine Tannehill is still without a job but there haven’t been a ton of quarterback injuries other than the Tua Tagovailoa scare, Jordan Love and now Dak Prescott. Tannehill should be able to find a new job soon even before the season ends since there have been a few developmental quarterbacks struggling to get on a strong start.
Originally selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, the veteran spent the first half of his career with the Miami Dolphins putting on huge numbers, recording more than 3,000 passing yards in one season becoming the fifth quarterback in team history to surpass that. However, his production was dwindling in 2018 when he found himself in a trade a year later where he became the 2019 Comeback Player of the Year with the Tennessee Titans. He replaced Marcus Mariota, taking the team to a wild card upsetting the Patriots in a matchup against Tom Brady. Tennessee eventually lost to the Kansas Chiefs but his journey shows that he may have some value to provide before he retires.
Tannehill may never find his prime footing anymore but he could be a bridge quarterback for any team that is still developing the next leader for their roster. This is why the Saints, Panthers could use him while they find the next signal-caller to take over the next few years.
Saints, Panthers May Fight Over Top Remaining Quarterback Free Agent Ryan Tannehill
Spencer Rattler Time?
After firing Dennis Allen, the Saints are clearly no longer a contender this year since going 0-7 already despite the 2-0 start. New Orleans lost Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed so the issues are much bigger than the coaching staff. The Saints quickly scrambled to sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling but he’s nothing more but a temporary solution to the wound that keeps bleeding through. Derek Carr didn’t play a couple of games due to injury and even though he returned, he didn’t put on a strong showing to prove that he’s a winner.
Carr is on the hot seat and it’s hard to imagine now that the Saints will consider bringing him back in 2025. Spencer Rattler attempted to hold it together like glue but without weapons, he never was able to prove to the team he would be a reliable starter. Tannehill might not be a permanent starter but he could keep the team intact while they develop Rattler for the next two seasons. Rattler could use his knowledge and learn from him while he attempts to lead the Saints to at least a wild card.
Constructing Carolina
The Carolina Panthers can put their 2024 season in wraps after failing to be a competitive team for the second year in a row. After trading Diontae Johnson, the Panthers should be sending more talent this upcoming offseason to build themselves a new regime under head coach Dave Canales. Bryce Young was hoping to develop in Carolina’s offensive system but frustration grew quickly for the coaching staff leading to starting Andy Dalton for a few games. The Panthers may not want to give up Young but after two disastrous years, it may be smarter to draft a quarterback at this stage to create some competition at the position.
They could bring in Tannehill to keep the hold the team to a higher standard. Since already seen Dalton’s performance, it may be wise to roll the dice on Tannehill. The Panthers will probably draft a new quarterback and Tannehill could be the perfect man to develop whoever is the next signal-caller.
