ESPN disrespects Tennessee Titans offensive star….again

I'm starting to think Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is never going to get the respect he deserves. Despite leading the Titans to the AFC Championship game in 2019 and an AFC South division title in 2020, Tannehill continues to fly under the radar. In fact, Tannehill is flying so far under the radar that […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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I'm starting to think Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is never going to get the respect he deserves.

Despite leading the Titans to the AFC Championship game in 2019 and an AFC South division title in 2020, Tannehill continues to fly under the radar.

In fact, Tannehill is flying so far under the radar that ESPN doesn't even recognize him as a top 10 quarterback in the NFL.

ESPN, via "extensive research", recently ranked their top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL.

Here's how their list breaks down:

  1. Patrick Mahomes — Kansas City Chiefs
  2. Aaron Rodgers — Green Bay Packers
  3. Tom Brady — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  4. Russell Wilson — Seattle Seahawks
  5. Josh Allen — Buffalo Bills
  6. Matthew Stafford — Los Angeles Rams
  7. Dak Prescott — Dallas Cowboys
  8. Lamar Jackson — Baltimore Ravens
  9. Justin Herbert — Los Angeles Chargers
  10. Kyler Murray — Arizona Cardinals

Now look, I'm not under the impression that Tannehill is on the same level as Patrick Mahomes (no one is). And I don't think he's as accurate as Aaron Rodgers, nor is he as electric as Lamar Jackson. Tannehill isn't Russell Wilson, either.

But I certainly think Tannehill is better than Herbert or Murray. And I definitely think he should've cracked the top 10 over those quarterbacks.

Dallas Cowboys Baltimore Ravens
Dec 8, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) and ] outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) drop back in coverage as Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) runs a route during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, Tannehill didn't throw for over 4,000 yards last season like most of the quarterbacks on this list, but that's simply because it wasn't necessary (Derrick Henry will do that for an offense). By other metrics, however, Tannehill is absolutely a top 10 quarterback in the NFL.

Tannehill was No. 7 in the NFL with 33 passing touchdowns last season (Herbert was No. 10 and Murray was No. 14). The Titans signal-caller had the No. 5 best QB rating in the NFL at 106.5, behind only Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen (Herbert was No. 12 and Murray was No. 18). Tannehill was No. 4 in the NFL in adjusted net yards per pass attempt and No. 4 in yards gained per completion as well.

On top of those numbers, Tannehill also led the league in game-winning drives with six.

The numbers make it obvious that Tannehill is among the top quarterbacks in the NFL. But because he plays for the Titans — a franchise that never receives much attention from the national media — Tannehill is written off as an "average" quarterback.

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter what ESPN thinks — these rankings won't win the franchise any games.

But it would still be nice to see Tannehill get the respect he deserves.

Featured images via Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content ServicesGeorge Walker IV / The Tennessean via Pool via Imagn Content Services

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