Titans OC Todd Downing: 'We're lucky to have' QB Ryan Tannehill

Tennessee Titans veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill generated headlines when he remarked in May that he was "competing against" third-round draft selection Malik Willis and added that it wasn't his job "to mentor" the rookie. Both Willis and Tannehill later did what they could to eliminate the idea there were any issues in the team's quarterback room, and Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing had high praise for the club's starting signal-caller following the offseason program and ahead of everyone's summer break. 

"I think (he's had) a great offseason," Downing commented about Tannehill, according to Jim Wyatt of the Titans' website. "I think he's done a nice job stepping into that leadership role. He's always been the leader of this offense, but certainly having a little bit louder voice and making sure he's getting what he's looking for in certain route concepts and things like that.

"I think he's done a nice job helping the new guys transition into their new roles and understanding where they fit in the big picture. So, Ryan has been doing a nice job. We're lucky to have him."

As Myles Simmons pointed out for Pro Football Talk, Tannehill lost star wide receiver A.J. Brown via a trade, and it seems unlikely Julio Jones will return to the organization. Titans general manager Jon Robinson backed Tannehill this past winter following the playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but one wonders if the club could go in a different direction at the position if Tennessee doesn't complete a trip to at least the AFC Championship Game this coming season.