The tennessee titans surprised starting quarterback ryan tannehill when they wrote Malik Willis in the third round of the NFL Draft.
Tannehill was already “surprised” that his franchise had traded wide receiver AJ Brown, so it was even more surprising when the Titans drafted a quarterback.
Tannehill said he understood the front office was doing what was best for the franchise and also said he texted Willis to welcome him to the quarterback room. But that’s where the support seems to have ended.
“That’s part of being in a quarterback room, in the same room: We’re competing with each other, we’re watching the same tape, we’re doing the same drills,” Tannehill said. “I don’t think it’s my job to mentor him. But if he learns from me along the way, then that’s a great thing.”
Tannehill’s comment drew criticism for his reluctance to help the young quarterback. But is the veteran right to bristle at the idea of ​​mentoring his potential replacement? History shows that when a franchise drafts a QB with an established player already in place, it can indicate some kind of change is imminent.
In Tannehill’s case, who knows?
We put together a list of similar situations from the last decade.
Tom Brady Y Jimmy Garoppolo, new england patriots
Garoppolo was selected 64th overall in 2014 by New England. He only started two games in three full seasons with the Patriots, both in Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2016 season, while Brady served his four-game “Deflategate” suspension. Garoppolo only played two games during the suspension because he injured his shoulder, which paved the way for Jacoby Brisset to take over.
Garoppolo was later traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 for a 2018 second-round pick. Brady remained in New England until he left for Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2019.
Alex Smith and patrick mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes was selected 10th in the 2017 draft and started only one game during his rookie season, which came in Week 17 after the Chiefs clinched a playoff spot.
Mahomes was promoted to the starting job after Smith was traded to Washington after that season.
Tony Romeo and Dak Prescott, dallas cowboys
Prescott was a fourth-round draft pick, 135th overall in 2016. Although he wasn’t expected to play much, he ended up starting immediately after Romo suffered a back injury during preseason.
Dak led the Cowboys to an 8-1 record, and when Romo returned from injury in Week 11, he relinquished the starting job to Prescott.
Romo retired after the 2016 season.
Aaron Rogers Y jordan love, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love was selected 26th overall by the Packers in 2020. Love has only started one game in two seasons for Green Bay, and that start came in Week 9 of 2021 after Rogers tested positive for COVID-19. . The Packers fell to the Chiefs 13-7 in Love’s start.
Ryan Fitzpatrick Y Tua Tagovailoa, miami dolphins
Tagovailoa was selected fifth overall in 2020 and started as a backup to Fitzpatrick. However, Tagovailoa took over as the starter in Week 8 and Fitzpatrick left Miami for Washington as a free agent.
carson wenttz Y Jalen hurts, philadelphia eagles
Hurts was a second-round draft pick, 53rd overall, in 2020. He spent most of his rookie season as Wentz’s backup, but took over as the starter in Week 14.
Wentz was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason.
skinny joe Y lamar jackson, The Baltimore Ravens
Jackson was drafted 32nd overall in 2018, spending 10 weeks as Flacco’s backup and then taking control of the offense in Week 11, two weeks after Flacco suffered a hip injury. After the 2018 season, Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos.
Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler, Denver Broncos
Osweiler was a second-round draft pick (57th overall) in 2012. He was fairly inactive during his first three seasons, not starting a single game from 2012 to 2014. He later started seven games in his fourth and final season in Denver.
After the 2015 season, Manning retired and Osweiler signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent.
Jimmy Garoppolo and trey lanceSan Francisco 49ers
Lance was the third overall pick in 2021 and only started two games in his first season, going 1-1 in those games. Both of his starts were in relief after Garoppolo was injured.
Garoppolo’s future is still uncertain in San Francisco as the team tries to find a business partner.
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