Regardless Of His Future, Tannehill Is Showing True Leadership

Despite the uncertainty of his future with the Tennessee Titans, quarterback Ryan Tannehill was there for the beginning of

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NASHVILLE -  Fans of the Tennessee Titans became disgruntled with Ryan Tannehill the moment the realization set in that their team would lose their opening-round playoff game at home as the No.1 seed in the AFC to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. 

After all, it was Tannehill who tossed three interceptions that day in the 19-16 loss, despite the Titans sacking Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow an NFL record-tying nine times and pressuring him multiple others.   

It was a game the Titans should have won, and if they had, and the rest of the AFC bracket had worked out as it did, it would have been Tennessee in the Super Bowl, not Cincinnati.    

They say time heals all wounds, and perhaps it will, but it hasn't yet for most Titans fans who continue to wish for their quarterback's trade or release. Yes, I get the salary cap implications, and while that is undoubtedly a part of their displeasure, if we're being honest, the root of the discontent is, and will always be, January 22, 2021. 

Fast forward to April 17, 2023, where Tannehill is still on the roster and, for the moment, the likely starter for the Titans should he survive until the start of the season. 

When the Titans off-season program began on Monday of this week, to the surprise of some, Tannehill was one of the players there, working out with his teammates, despite the chatter and rumors surrounding his future in Nashville. 

While those workouts are not mandatory, and another Titan whose name has been circling the off-season rumor mill, Derrick Henry, has never attended them, why was it a surprise to see Tannehill?

After all, his name is still on the roster, and he is still under contract to the Titans, so why shouldn't he be there? 

Look, I'm not defending Tannehill for his performance that day in 2021. Those three picks were killers, yet the Titans still had a chance. He's not been perfect throughout his time in Tennessee, and last season's injury was devastating, but there is one thing that, regardless of your feelings, you should admit about this man.    

He's a leader and has been since his arrival, and again on Monday. 

It would have been easy and understandable for him to have bagged it and not shown up. That's not what he did. As the quarterback, if even for only a short time longer, he was out there with his friends and teammates putting in the work for the coming season. 

We don't know what the future holds for Tannehill as a Titan, but let's give him credit for showing this team what character and leadership are. 

Depending on how things play out, those could be the last two things he gives them. 

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