Many Miami Dolphins fans have varying opinions on Ryan Tannehill. However, the reality is that, despite his struggles in Miami, he has been one of the better quarterbacks the team has had in recent decades. Evaluating Tannehill solely based on his time with the Dolphins may be unfair, as he faced numerous challenges, including poor coaching, injuries, and an overall dysfunctional organization.
Now a free agent after spending the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans, Tannehill has a few potential landing spots. Jeff Diamond of The 33rd Team predicted that the Minnesota Vikings could sign him, as they are in need of an experienced quarterback to pair with J.J. McCarthy. Diamond explained, “The Vikings still need a quality veteran quarterback with starting experience in case McCarthy is not ready to play at a high level or gets hurt (he missed the entire 2024 regular season with a knee meniscus injury sustained in the preseason opener). Enter 36-year-old Ryan Tannehill, the former Dolphins first-round pick who was a six-year starter in Miami (37-40 record) before being traded in 2019 to Tennessee.”
Similar to the early concerns surrounding Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, there are uncertainties about how McCarthy will transition to the NFL, especially after his injury last year. While he had an impressive career at Michigan and is expected to thrive under Kevin O’Connell, if he struggles, Tannehill could provide a reliable option as a veteran presence.