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Several quarterbacks left NFL games due to injury last week in a league already lacking quality players at the position.
But veteran signal-caller Ryan Tannehill is unlikely to make an NFL comeback down the stretch this season. Tannehill, the 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, quietly decided to call it a career.
“I think that chapter is closed,” Tannehill told The Escapist. “I think last year, that’s where I was if the right opportunity came up and was right for our family. Staying in shape and staying ready. I had a lot of calls, but nothing ever felt like the right opportunity that I was looking for. That was last NFL season. At this point, I think that ship has sailed for me.”
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Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tannehill has not appeared in an NFL game since the 2023 season.
The Miami Dolphins selected Tannehill in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. An ACL injury forced Tannehill to miss the entire 2017 regular season. The Dolphins traded Tannehill to the Tennessee Titans in 2019.
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Tannehill experienced a career resurgence at Tennessee, finishing his first season with the team with 2,742 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. The performance earned Tannehill his first career Pro Bowl selection.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) acknowledges Titans fans after their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on January 7, 2024. (Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK)
While Tannehill admittedly wasn’t able to land in a situation that was a good fit, it seems there are always teams that could benefit from a veteran presence in their respective quarterback rooms. Some teams have looked for a way to offset the impact of quarterback injuries.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Joe Flacco after Joe Burrow suffered a toe injury in September.
Marcus Mariota has appeared in more games this year as Jayden Daniels has dealt with more setbacks. Davis Mills started in place of an injured CJ Stroud again Thursday night to start Week 12, while Jacoby Brissett is expected to remain the Arizona Cardinals starter for the rest of the season. Kyler Murray was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.
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Atlanta Falcons signal caller Michael Penix Jr. left a Week 11 game in the third quarter during a matchup with the Carolina Panthers. He later underwent season-ending knee surgery, the team confirmed. Bryce Young also got beat up in that game, but returned to play because of apparent ankle discomfort.
Aaron Rodgers went to the sideline before the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Bengals, and Jordan Love also briefly left last week’s game with an injury.
Both of Tannehill’s former teams have largely struggled this season. The Titans enter Week 12 with just one win. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has thrown six touchdowns and six interceptions in his first 10 games.
Earlier this month, the Dolphins parted ways with general manager Chris Grier. Miami got off to a slow start this season but has managed to win its last two games. The Dolphins are on a bye week after defeating the Washington Commanders in the league’s first regular season game in Spain last Sunday.
