Tennessee Titans plan to keep Ryan Tannehill as starter, develop Malik Willis

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — There comes a time in each organazition when it is time to half methods with a participant that was as soon as the franchise quarterback. Like another place, the purpose for NFL groups is at all times to discover a approach to get youthful and cheaper.

The Tennessee Titans have been adamant that Ryan Tannehill is their starter regardless that the 2021 season all of a sudden ended after a 19-16 divisional spherical loss to the Cincinnati Bengals through which Tannehill was intercepted thrice. That stated, Tannehill turns 34 this summer time.

Sooner or later, the Titans have to start out getting ready for his or her future. They could have discovered simply that within the third spherical of the draft Friday.

Tennessee chosen Liberty quarterback Malik Willis with the No. 86 total decide. Willis was thought of to be a first-round expertise by a number of draft analysts, together with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.

“He was the perfect participant on the board, and we’re excited to have him on the crew,” Titans normal supervisor Jon Robinson stated of Willis. “Good arm, athletic, strikes round properly and has a extremely good skillset. He throws a great ball and is hard to sort out. He is acquired a variety of work to do like all these rookies do.”

Willis has excessive upside however remains to be uncooked as a quarterback. There are occasions when Willis’ mechanics trigger him to be barely astray with throws.

Nonetheless, Willis will even make jawdropping throws that showcase how a lot potential he actually has. Willis’ rocket arm permits him to ship the ball to any a part of the sector with ease and accuracy.

In response to ESPN Stats & Info, Willis threw 13 touchdowns with 15 or extra air yards downfield final season. Willis additionally had 31 completions through which he threw the ball 20 or extra yards down the sector. That tied him for the seventh most within the FBS.

The power to influence the sport as a rusher can also be one thing to think about. He picked up 878 yards and 13 touchdowns on the bottom final 12 months. The Titans teaching employees must be intrigued on the choice to make the most of Willis in choose packages that may get him worthwhile reps so he can turn out to be extra acclimated to enjoying on the subsequent stage.

Being chosen within the third spherical eases the stress to hurry the playmaking quarterback into obligation. Having Tannehill in place to hold the load is one other plus within the developmental course of for Willis. The Titans could be aggressive with Tannehill beneath middle whereas they develop Willis.

“Ryan Tannehill is a good participant, and he is a fantastic chief for this group,” Willis stated. “I simply need to are available in and simply do all I can with a purpose to get higher at my craft. At any time when that point comes for me to get on the sector, then that point will come. However till then, I am simply going to attempt to be taught and be the perfect teammate that I could be.”

The Titans will welcome any competitors that Willis can present. However they perceive it is going to be an ongoing course of to get him able to be an impactful participant. There is not essentially a quick observe plan to get Willis into the beginning position.

Willis has the posh of with the ability to progressively take up the playbook and progress. That luxurious could not have been afforded to him if he was chosen within the first spherical.

“His position will probably be decided by how rapidly he is available in right here and learns the offense and improves and good points the respect of his teammates,” Robinson stated concerning Willis turning into a starter.

“We would like all of them to compete for beginning roles,” added Vrabel. “Everyone needs the nook workplace and to reside on the highest ground. That is what you attempt to do in skilled sports activities.”