Titans' Ryan Tannehill in familiar, yet unfriendly territory after Saints loss

Well, it took a grand total of one game before people resurrected the idea of benching Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill, along with the rest of the Titans offense, struggled immensely in the 16-15 loss the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Just right off the bat: The unit was just one of five to […]

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor

Sep 11, 2023 1:08 PM EDT

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to pass against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.

Well, it took a grand total of one game before people resurrected the idea of benching Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill, along with the rest of the Titans offense, struggled immensely in the 16-15 loss the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Just right off the bat: The unit was just one of five to go without a touchdown in Week 1 and it converted just 2-of-12 third down attempts, which is simply pitiful, at the end of the day.

But Tannehill was especially bad. He completed less than 50% of his passes for just 198-yards and three interceptions. Worst of all, however, he looked uncomfortable all game long. Whether it was underthrowing guys, overthrowing guys, or simply a matter of poor play – Tannehill looked out of sorts. Even if the veteran QB's postgame comments stated otherwise.

Ryan Tannehill said his comfort level was fine. But they had some things not go their way. He wouldn't get into details on the INTs. pic.twitter.com/RiDjMBmSqf
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 10, 2023

Comfortable or not, Tannehill finished the game with a 10.3 QBR rating, which is currently second-worst to only New York Giants QB Daniel Jones, who finished with an 8.4 QBR rating after Sunday night's uber-embarrassing 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It's Tannehill's worst rating since joining the Titans and it's also the worst of his career since he registered a 4.5 QBR as quarterback of the Miami Dolphins in 2018.

Regardless, the pitchforks are back out and there are more than ever – and justifiably so. Oddsmakers are in on the action, as well. Per Sportsbetting.ag Tannehill is now the No. 1 favorite to be the first starting quarterback benched in 2023 after holding down the No. 3 spot ahead of opening week.

With Malik Willis and Will Levis as QB2/QB3, it's safe to assume the Titans are willing to try and work out the kinks before handing things over to those guys. With all due respect, Willis was not ready to play NFL football in 2022 and while he's improved over the offseason – he's just not a safe bet, right now; mostly because the upside isn't there to warrant the risk. Levis was the team's emergency backup QB on Sunday and is coming off an injury that limited him in the preseason, so he'd be a risk, as well.

But, if the Titans find themselves out of the playoff hunt early-on and Tannehill is still playing as poorly as he did against the Saints, then that could certainly open the door for a change.

Either way, more eyes will be on Tannehill than ever before and he's going to have to string together some really nice performances. Or else he could very well find himself benched by season's end.