Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Titans GM hints where team stands on its QB situation

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/24/23

While the Tennessee Titans haven’t confirmed they’re exploring trade possibilities for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, they haven’t exactly ruled it out either.

During his pre-draft news conference on Monday at Saint Thomas Sports Park, first-year general manager Ran Carthon hinted that he’s kept Tannehill in the loop as far as his status with the team and its plan for his position beyond just next year.

"Just to let you guys in, Ryan and I had a conversation back in February that was between Ryan and I and between Ryan and our organization," Carthon said. "Ryan knows where he stands with us, and that’s really all that matters to me.”

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on “SportsCenter” that he’s talked to teams that “believe Tannehill could be, or is, available via trade.” Cutting or trading Tannehill, who has a $36M cap hit, pre-June 1 would cost Tennessee $18.8M in dead money but save the team $17.8M in cap space.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he believes there's a higher probability that Tennessee hangs onto Tannehill rather than trading him.

"I would be surprised if the Tennessee Titans moved on from Ryan Tannehill right now"@RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/ufeweJ08kg
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 24, 2023

Trading Tannehill, who’s in the final season of his four-year, $118M contract, accomplishes two things: it officially hits reset on Tennessee’s roster and clears a sizable chunk of cap space needed to accelerate said reset.

Though Tannehill has won nearly 66% of his games as the Titans starter, he turns 35 in July and his production has steadily declined the last two years (though some of that could be attributed to former offensive coordinator Todd Downing).

The Titans have thoroughly evaluated each of the draft’s top four quarterbacks — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson — and they could be in position to take one if the right situation presents itself.

"It’s our job to do due diligence at every position,” Carthon added. “Everywhere we look to improve. It’s not an indictment on Ryan or anyone else on this roster. We have to evaluate everyone. We know where we can make ourselves better and give ourselves the best option of putting the best 53 on the field."

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