The Minnesota Vikings continue to signal that they plan to start their 2024 first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, as their quarterback. However, they are still exploring the possibility of adding a veteran, with Ryan Tannehill emerging as a potential option.
Tannehill, a first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2012, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019 during his first season with the Tennessee Titans. After sitting out the 2024 season, he could make a return to the NFL with the Vikings, who have reportedly reached out to him. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz shared on March 21 that discussions are ongoing, though no deal is imminent at this time.
In 2023, Tannehill completed 64.8% of his passes for 1,616 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He missed two games due to an ankle injury before being benched by former head coach Mike Vrabel in favor of rookie Will Levis.
Levis, once considered a potential target, has now become a more immediate focus for the Vikings after they shifted away from pursuing Aaron Rodgers. The Vikings are also keeping Joe Flacco, a former quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, in mind as a free-agent option.
Tannehill, who is 36 years old and a former Comeback Player of the Year, is seen as a younger alternative to Rodgers and Flacco, both of whom are over 40. He also has a connection to McCarthy, as they share the same agent, which could make him a good fit for the Vikings. Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune suggested Tannehill as a possibility, citing this connection.
Goessling also mentioned that the Vikings are actively looking to add a veteran quarterback this offseason, in case McCarthy is injured or isn’t ready to step into the starting role. With the connection between Tannehill and McCarthy, it seems like a logical option, but there are still obstacles that may prevent the deal from going through.
Leave a Reply