The Miami Dolphins are currently entangled in a contract standoff with Tua Tagovailoa, but barring something catastrophic occurring before the 2024 NFL campaign, he will almost surely be the club’s starting quarterback in Week 1.
But do the Dolphins still need some insurance behind him?
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports thinks it might be a good idea and has pitched Ryan Tannehill as a potential addition for the team as training camp approaches.
Currently, Mike White serves as Tagovailoa’s primary backup, and while White has some experience as a starter, Miami may want someone a bit more proven.
Tannehill would fit that bill.
Of course, Tannehill actually began his NFL career in South Beach back in 2012 after the Dolphins selected him with the eighth overall pick of the NFL Draft.
Tannehill spent seven seasons with the Dolphins, but didn’t actually begin to flourish until he joined the Tennessee Titans in 2019.
That year, he ended up supplanting Marcus Mariota as the Titans’ starting signal-caller midway through the season and threw for 2,742 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 70.3 percent of his passes and posting a league-high 117.5 passer rating in 12 games and 10 starts. He made his first and only Pro Bowl appearance as a result.
The following year, Tannehill enjoyed what may have been the best campaign of his NFL career, totaling 3,819 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven picks while completing 65.5 percent of his throws and registering a passer rating of 106.5.
Since then, the 35-year-old has definitely declined and is coming off of a rather paltry 2023 season in which he recorded 1,616 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 appearances and eight starts. He was usurped as the starter by Will Levis halfway through the year.
In spite of Tannehill’s rough year last season, he still surely represents a better backup option than what the Dolphins currently have, and given Tagovailoa’s checkered injury history, Miami may want an upgrade on its depth chart.
It’s surprising that Tannehill is still available given his pedigree, but perhaps he is simply waiting for the best possible situation.
Going back to the Dolphins would certainly represent an interesting path for the veteran.
Miami went 11-6 and fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs this past year.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
