The Tennessee Titans will mark the end of an era for the team on Sunday. What at one point looked to be one of the more dominant offenses in the league, has since fizzled out, and resulted in the ensuing handing over of the reigns to a promising young emerging talent. And while the future appears to be in capable hands, the return as a discussed potential playoff team is in large part due to a veteran quarterback who will likely not be around for the next revival of this squad.
Tennesse Titans QB Situation
According to a Friday released report from Ian Rapoport, head coach Mike Vrabel has announced that Ryan Tannehill will be starting against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This news comes as rookie out of Kentucky, Will Levis is dealing with a foot injury.
What has been a disappointing season for the Tennessee Titans has resulted in only five wins, but with the most well-known latest words to come out of Coach Vrabel’s mouth, it appears the Titans will be doing everything in their power to secure their fifth win of the season against the Jaguars.
Listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday, signs were indicating that Levis was going to push it and attempt to be ready to go on Sunday. While the competitor himself and Coach Vrabel were likely holding out hope that his injury wasn’t too serious, it appears that this will no longer be possible. Levis will still be ready, but only if needed as the emergency backup quarterback.
Tannehill started the season as the Tennessee Titans signal caller, but when injured saw his starting role overtaken by the promising rookie.
Tennessee Titans With Tannehill
Before Coach Vrabel got to Nashville, the Titans had made playoff appearances once in the previous nine years. A second year into his term the head, Vrabel and the Tennessee organization traded for Tannehill in a deal from Miami.
During their initial run, the duo saw success as Tannehill was asked to manage the game while maintaining an offense that was focused on the strength and running ability of Derrick Henry. In their first three years together, the Tennessee Titans made the playoffs all three times, twice as the one seed out of the AFC South.
Despite the run of success, the team saw their season end in disappointment, as last year, as well as this year will end in a losing season. Of course, there are a lot of factors. but for many including the staff, a lot of it rests on the shoulders of the quarterback.
Tennessee Titans Emerging Starter
In week 6, Tannehill saw his season uprooted by a high ankle sprain against the Baltimore Ravens. With Levis in the starting role, the Titans did not perform significantly better in terms of scoring, and in some cases may have had a better chance of winning with Tannehill.
Instead, this move likely comes with the knowledge of knowing the ceiling any offense would have, compared to the upside of Levis. While still a raw talent, the Tennessee Titans have elected to go in a different direction for their future.
But for one last game, Titan fans can appreciate what Tannehill has given to their team as he will likely be elsewhere next year.