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Former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill Nearing NFL Return With Contender

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Austin C. Boyd | Last updated Mar 22, 2025 2:35 PM ET

Ryan Tannehill has had a very up-and-down career. He came into the NFL as a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins but the team eventually soured on him and let him go.

He later joined the Tennessee Titans as Marcus Mariota's backup but took over the starting job and played the best football of his career. Tannehill led the NFL in passer rating in 2019 and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

He followed up that season with a 33-touchdown, seven-interception season and then led the Titans to the best record in the AFC in 2021. Things went downhill after that season and Tannehill was eventually let go by the team.

He didn't play in 2024 but he isn't retired. According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz , Tannehill has been discussing a potential return with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings lost Sam Darnold in free agency and are out on Aaron Rodgers. J.J. McCarthy is the quarterback of the future but he's very young and the team needs a veteran quarterback on the roster.

Tannehill will be 37 when the season starts and isn't a strong option to start but he could provide valuable depth for the team and can be competent if he's called on to play. For him, it's a perfect landing spot as head coach Kevin O'Connell has proven to be very good with quarterbacks.

It helps that he'd be able to throw to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and plenty of other appealing offensive weapons.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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