5 Best Quarterbacks in Tennessee Titans History

Drafted No. 2 overall in 2015, Mariota provided memorable moments and solid production during a transitional period for the franchise. He threw for 13,207 yards and 76 touchdowns during five seasons with Tennessee and helped lead the Titans back to the playoffs in 2017.

Mariota’s signature moment came in Tennessee’s AFC wild-card victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, when he caught his own deflected pass and scored a touchdown.

4. George Blanda (1960-1966)

Blanda was a cornerstone of the Houston Oilers’ early success and one of the most important players in the franchise’s AFL history.

After retiring when the Chicago Bears planned to use him primarily as a kicker, Blanda returned to football with the expansion Houston Oilers in 1960. Serving as both quarterback and kicker, he led Houston to the first two AFL championships in 1960 and 1961.

Blanda’s 1961 season was particularly remarkable. He threw a then-record 36 touchdown passes and was named AFL Player of the Year. He spent seven seasons with the Oilers, throwing for 19,149 yards and 165 touchdowns, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

3. Ryan Tannehill (2019-2023)

Tannehill revived his career after arriving in Tennessee in 2019, immediately becoming one of the NFL’s most efficient quarterbacks.

Tannehill won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2019 and helped lead the Titans to the AFC Championship Game that season. He followed with another strong campaign in 2020, throwing for 3,819 yards and 33 touchdowns, before guiding Tennessee to the AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2021.

During his five seasons with the Titans, Tannehill helped Tennessee remain one of the AFC’s most consistent contenders and produced two of the franchise’s better single-season passing performances.

2. Steve McNair (1995-2005)

McNair is the defining quarterback of the franchise’s modern era.

McNair led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance, guiding Tennessee to Super Bowl XXXIV following the 1999 season. He reached the peak of his career in 2003, when he shared the NFL MVP award with Peyton Manning.

A three-time Pro Bowler, McNair ranks second in franchise history with 27,141 passing yards and third with 156 touchdown passes. His ability to make plays as both a passer and runner made him one of the NFL’s most difficult quarterbacks to defend during his prime.

1. Warren Moon (1984-1993)

Moon is the greatest quarterback in Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans franchise history.

A trailblazer at quarterback, Moon spearheaded Houston’s explosive “Run and Shoot” offense during his 10 seasons with the Oilers. After starring in the Canadian Football League, Moon joined Houston in 1984 and immediately made an impact, setting the Oilers’ single-season passing record with 3,338 yards.

Moon’s best season came in 1990, when he was named the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 362 completions, 4,689 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes. His nine 300-yard passing games that season tied Dan Marino’s NFL single-season record.

In 1991, Moon set then-NFL single-season records with 655 pass attempts and 404 completions while throwing for a franchise-record 4,690 yards.

Moon remains the franchise’s all-time leader with 33,685 passing yards and 196 touchdown passes. He was a six-time Pro Bowler with the Oilers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

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