Rumor Mill Again Uplifts Free Agent QB for Vikings
First, Pro Football Talk advanced the Ryan Tannehill theory for the Minnesota Vikings.
Rumor Mill Again Uplifts Free Agent QB for Vikings
Then, The Ringer followed suit.
Current Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold tossed 3 interceptions in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, delivering no touchdowns and creating fears that the bottom could fall out of his season. And on Minnesota’s active roster, the only non-Darnold alternatives are Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien, who almost certainly wouldn’t represent an upgrade.
So, The Ringer’s Steven Ruiz claimed this week that the purple team should sign Tannehill, a free agent. “The Vikings have now won two in a row and are just a game back from the Lions in the NFC North, but head coach Kevin O’Connell’s faith in Darnold has to be at an all-time low. That’s certainly true of the Vikings fans, who have begun calling for backup Nick Mullens and wondering whether general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to give free agent Ryan Tannehill a call,” he wrote.
Tannehill curiously hasn’t signed anywhere in the NFL this season, and in fact, it’s a bit odd that no team has taken the plunge, especially after quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson have hit the shelf due to injury.
“Tannehill, who is currently a free agent, could be a more viable solution and has previously had success in a similar style of offense in Tennessee. He’s comfortable operating from under center in a play-action-heavy attack (which O’Connell would appreciate), and he’s not afraid to give his talented receivers a chance on 50/50 balls down the field (which Justin Jefferson would appreciate),” Ruiz added.
Ruiz also noted that Tannehill won’t completely solve all the Vikings’ problems.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested the same thing while Darnold was tossing his 3 picks. Florio tweeted during Jaguars-Vikings, “Is it crazy to wonder what Kevin O’Connell could do with Ryan Tannehill down the stretch? Because it really looks like the Sam Darnold chariot has turned back into a pumpkin.”
Adding Tannehill might be a wise solution if Darnold fell injured. He’s started 151 games in the league and delivered 243 touchdowns.
Otherwise, Minnesota’s coaching staff is completely committed to Darnold, and one bad game won’t prompt the organization to sign a 36-year-old free agent.
But the Tannehill theories won’t stop. They’ll probably arise, in fact, every time Darnold causes a turnover.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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