After a year away from the NFL, quarterback Ryan Tannehill is nearing a return to the league. The 36-year-old Tannehill has been a free agent since the Tennessee Titans moved on from him after the 2023 season.
Tannehill is discussing a deal with the Minnesota Vikings and would likely serve as the backup to J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy is entering his first season as Minnesota's starting quarterback, as he missed the entirety of his rookie season with a torn meniscus. Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz was the first to report the news of talks between Tannehill and the Vikings.
Sources: The #Vikings have had discussions with former #Titans QB Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal. Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now, sources tell @NFLonFOX. pic.twitter.com/yF71IYo9Pg
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 21, 2025
Tannehill would be a good fit in Minnesota, as the Vikings are still searching for their backup quarterback. Quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones both left the Vikings in free agency, leaving Minnesota with a hole at the position. Tannehill was in a similar role during his final season with the Titans, as he served as Will Levis' backup towards the end of the 2023 season.
Tannehill has had a unique football career, which started at Texas A&M. The Big Spring, Texas native redshirted the 2007 season at Texas A&M and primarily played wide receiver in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Tannehill tallied over 1,400 receiving yards across the two seasons.
It wasn't until the 2010 season that Tannehill took over as Texas A&M's starting quarterback. Tannehill led the Aggies to two top 25 wins against Oklahoma and Nebraska, which led to a berth in the Cotton Bowl Classic. He continued his success at quarterback during the 2011 season, starting all 13 games and throwing for 3,744 yards. Tannehill's breakout performance led to him soaring up draft boards before the 2012 NFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins selected Tannehill with the No. 8 pick in the 2012 draft, making him the third quarterback picked, behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Tannehill spent seven seasons with the Dolphins that were marred by inconsistency, injury and a lack of team success. Despite an up-and-down tenure with Miami, Tannehill broke through as a pro in his eighth NFL season, his first with the Titans.
Tannehill had his best NFL season in 2019, starting ten games for the Titans and leading them to the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. He led the league with a 117.5 passer rating, which was also a Titans franchise record. Tannehill's strong performance earned him the 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and a spot in the 2019 Pro Bowl. He remained Tennessee's primary starter until Levis took over in 2023.
With the Vikings looking for an experienced mentor and backup for McCarthy, Tannehill is a proven fit. Signing with Minnesota would give Tannehill an opportunity to prove he can still be a valuable contributor in the NFL, making this a mutually beneficial option.
Related: Bill Belichick Flips 4-Star from Texas A&M
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM.