For the second time in two years, the Tennessee Titans spent a draft pick on a quarterback despite still having veteran Ryan Tannehill in place as the starter.
Tennessee traded up to select Kentucky signal-caller Will Levis in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, and before that the Titans traded up in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft to nab Malik Willis.
During a presser on Wednesday, Tannehill was asked about the team drafting yet another quarterback who could replace him. He made it clear he’s only worried about what he can control.
“You can only control what you control,” Tannehill said. “As players, you’ve got to control what you can control. That’s doing the best you can, prepping yourself mentally and physically each and every day to win football games.”
One area of need that was of particular interest to Tannehill was the wide receiver position, which was Tennessee’s biggest going into the draft.
Despite that, Tennessee waited all the way until the seventh round to draft a wideout (Colton Dowell), something that won’t help Tannehill if he remains the starter in 2023.
It sounds like Tannehill was about as surprised as the rest of us that Tennessee took the approach it did.
“They don’t ask me my thoughts on draft picks,” he said with a smile. “Mike and Ran make those decisions. Obviously, I knew it was an area that could be addressed, but they did just a little bit probably later than I thought they were going to. But we added some other key positions, some talent that’ll help us across the board.”
Now, a look at what else Tannehill had to say at his press conference on Wednesday.
On the new offense
“The whole system is pretty much different,” he said.
“We’ll see as we get going, but we know we want to put pressure on the defense,” he said. “That might be tempo, that might be personnel changes, that might be different sets in personnels than defenses are typically seeing. So a big emphasis I think is putting pressure on the defense, not just tempo. There are a lot of ways that you can do that and that’s one of those tools.”
“I would say I see a lot of speed involved,” he said. “A lot of plays where we are trying to go really fast and just take what we can before the defense can get there, trying to outflank guys.”
(Via PaulKuharsky.com)
On offseason rumors about him
Ryan Tannehill said he "didn't really ride that rollercoaster" of all the rumors that he might be traded or released this off-season. Said occasionally a friend would text a report, and he would go, "oh, really." Said if or when something happens, they'll let him know.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 3, 2023
On Titans switching to turf
Tannehill says he doesn’t love the change to turf. Doesn’t affect quality of game, but does affect how feel the next day.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) May 3, 2023
On being the starter
Tannehill on Vrabel saying he's the starter: I appreciate that being clarified, but I've learned in 12 years in this league that nothing is given to you.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 3, 2023
On Treylon Burks
Tannehill says Treylon Burks moving well, doing everything we ask of him.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) May 3, 2023
On Titans' current WRs
Ryan Tannehill on #Titans WRs. pic.twitter.com/IWS6zWPlZN
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) May 3, 2023
On possible contract extension
Tannehill declines to make a public statement on a possible contract extension. He's entering the final year of his deal.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 3, 2023
On Kyle Philips
Tannehill notes that Kyle Philips running around again, looking good.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) May 3, 2023
On Will Levis
Tannehill on the drafting of Levis: We've been down this road before. My job is to get ready and win football games.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 3, 2023
Tannehill on Will Levis: Hopefully, he adds to the QB room. #Titans
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) May 3, 2023
On attending OTAs early
Ryan Tannehill on why it was important to be with the #Titans this early in the OTAs process. pic.twitter.com/YgY31r3qpk
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) May 3, 2023
On his 2022 ankle injury
Ryan Tannehill said his ankle feels completely healed and his ready to go. Said not being able to finish 2022 season sucked.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 3, 2023
