If nothing changes, the only thing standing between a Ryan Tannehill injury ruining the Tennessee Titans’ 2020 season is Logan Woodside.
While Woodside showed flashes in the preseason last year, the truth is he has never taken a regular season snap, nor does he have any qualities that really stand out.
This is why the Titans must explore all of their options for backup quarterback. Not doing so would be risky at best.
We already compiled a list earlier this month, but after the first wave of free agency some of our original suggested options are gone, while a few more have popped up.
The original list included six signal-callers, three of which have been signed:
- Case Keenum: Signed with Browns
- A.J. McCarron: Re-signed with Texans
- Chase Daniel: Signed with Lions
Here’s a look at an updated list of free-agent backup quarterbacks who are both realistic and affordable that the Titans should be taking a look at.
Note: P.J. Walker was originally on this list, but has since been signed by the Carolina Panthers, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Blake Bortles
One backup quarterback option with starting and playoff experience out there is Blake Bortles, who spent the 2019 season as the backup to Jared Goff in Los Angeles.
A lot of fans will scoff at the idea of having Bortles on the team because of his history with the Titans’ division rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and his issues with consistency over the years as the team’s starter.
However, Bortles does offer a strong arm and mobility, which is a nice fit for this offense should he be called into action.
Is he a starting-caliber quarterback? No, but he is a solid option to have as a backup just in case.
Josh Johnson
Starting Monday, XFL players can begin signing with NFL teams, and that could mean a return to the NFL for Johnson.
After playing with five teams over the course of seven years in the NFL, the 33-year-old decided to take his talents to the XFL, where he looked dominant.
In five games, Johnson completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,076 yards and 11 touchdowns, both of which were good enough for second-most in the league behind P.J. Walker.
Jordan Ta’amu
Another XFL quarterback who hasn’t gotten as much attention as Walker is Ta’amu, but his numbers outside of touchdown passes are almost equally impressive.
Ta’amu threw for 1,050 yards and five touchdowns in five games, while also completing a league-high 72 percent of his passes and compiling a passer rating of 101.3.
Adding to those impressive numbers, Ta’amu is even younger than Walker (22) and possesses the kind of athleticism that makes him a dual-threat quarterback when the ball is in his hands.
Matt Moore
We’re five days past the start of free agency and Moore remains unsigned and available.
He spent the 2019 season as the backup quarterback to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, but did see action when Mahomes went down with a knee injury.
Moore was more than serviceable for the Chiefs in his two starts, completing 49-of-71 passes (69 percent) for 542 yards and three touchdowns to no picks.
Joe Flacco
A report from Sunday night by Terry McCormick of Titan Insider states that the Titans are not looking at Flacco as a backup quarterback option.
I think that’s a mistake.
Granted, Flacco’s career isn’t exactly littered with huge seasons, but this is a backup quarterback we’re talking about and he is currently among the best of the bunch.
What Flacco does have is experience, particularly in the playoffs, and a Super Bowl MVP and ring. Backup quarterbacks with those kinds of credentials don’t just grow on trees.
