One of the primary criticisms of how the Miami Dolphins handled the tenure of quarterback Ryan Tannehill centers around how little the team did to push him with competition. The fear? That the team’s first 1st-round quarterback selection since Dan Marino would wither and that the team’s declared franchise quarterback — by title and payroll alike — would flop.
Tannehill flopped in Miami anyway, it just took longer without anyone to push him out of the starter’s role. And now, with Tannehill dealt to Tennessee to serve as the team’s backup to Marcus Mariota, the former Dolphins quarterback is having a tough go in his first competitive situation as a pro. Meeting with the media this week in Nashville, Tannehill was asked about his experience thus far in Tennessee.
“It’s definitely tough at times,” Tannehill said. “But Marcus is great to work with. The staff here, Marcus, the quarterback room is really great, and when you work with good people — great people — and you’re all aligned in this thing together trying to win football games, it definitely helps with that transition. But there are some things that are tough about it, but kinds of goes along with it.”
After years of being an unquestioned starter, it’s understandable that the adjustment will shake a player’s foundation. But how Tannehill responds if and when he next gets a chance to play will measure how accurate the concerns were about him and his mental fortitude in Miami.
