5 priority offseason moves for the Tennessee Titans

3. Bring Back Ryan Tannehill

Some might say the move came too late, but as it turns out all the Titans’ offense needed to reach a new level was to sub Marcus Mariota for Tannehill under center.

Tannehill led the league with a 117.5 passer rating, as he also paced the league in yards per completion (13.6), yards per attempt (9.6) and adjusted yards per attempt (10.2). Not coincidentally, Tennessee’s offense was dramatically better too.

Mariota’s six starts: 16.3 points per game; 28th in the league through that point
Tannehill’s 10 starts: 30.4 points per game; fourth-best in the league over that time
Mariota’s six starts: 290.5 yards per game; 27th in the league to that point
Tannehill’s 10 starts: 406.2 yards per game; third-best in the league over that span

Tannehill earned some solid incentive money this year, but he’s in line for more than double what he made this year simply if the Titans franchise tag him. A multi-year deal seems more likely, as Tannehill seemed to team well with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The Titans have to keep that tandem together, independent of signing a capable veteran backup or even drafting a quarterback in April if there’s value in doing that. Tannehill should be Tennessee’s Week 1 starter next year, as he’s earned that along with a lucrative contract to stay around.