Vikings Nibble at QB Alternative
He was in the Minnesota Vikings’ rumor mill last year.
Vikings Nibble at QB Alternative
Now Ryan Tannehill is back in that familiar zone.
The Vikings probably need a backup quarterback behind J.J. McCarthy in 2025, and they curiously haven’t signed one through two weeks of free agency. Accordingly, Minnesota is reportedly flirting with Tannehill, who sat out the 2024 campaign altogether.
The Ryan Tannehill + Vikings Report
FOX Sports‘ Jordan Schultz tweeted Friday, “Sources: The Vikings have had discussions with former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal. Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now, sources tell NFL of FOX.”
Schultz broke Tee Higgins’ contract extension news this week for the Cincinnati Bengals, so his tweet shouldn’t be perceived as out of left field.
CBS Sports‘ Shanna McCarriston added about Tannehill’s situation: “The 36-year-old was adamant that it would take the exact right scenario for him to join a team, saying ‘nothing really felt right’ during free agency last offseason.”
“As a result, Tannehill didn’t take any snaps during the 2024 season, last playing in January of 2024. The former No. 8 overall pick played in 10 games in the 2023 season, starting eight with a 3-5 record.”
And the reporting makes all the sense in the world, mainly because Minnesota is down to nubbins for viable QB2 options.
Last Year’s Rumors with Tannehill
During the 2024 regular season, former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold encountered a rough patch in early November, delivering three interceptions to the Jacksonville Jaguars while his team hung on for a victory.
It didn’t take long for Tannehill rumors to swirl, although Minnesota eventually rebounded to the tune of a 14-3 record.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested Darnold could be on the chopping block if his poor performance didn’t uptick. 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.”
Soon after, The Ringer’s Steven Ruiz claimed that the purple team should sign Tannehill, a free agent at the time.
“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, 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.
Darnold bounced back quite well until Week 18, so Tannehill fodder died off.
Tannehill’s Career Resume
Here’s Tanehill’s full resume to date:
- Miami Dolphins (2012–2018)
- Tennessee Titans (2019–2023)
- Sat Out (2024)
The 36-year-old has started 151 games since 2012, and his teams have tabulated an 81-70 (.529) record along the way. He’s accounted for 216 passing touchdowns, 115 picks, and 34,881 passing yards in 11 seasons. Tannehill averages about 225 passing yards per contest, a commendable mark for a signal-caller never necessarily considered elite or anything close to it.
He ranked 23rd of 41 qualifying quarterbacks (minimum 200 snaps) in 2023 per EPA+CPOE, his last time starting. The year before, 2022, he placed 18th of 37 per the same metric — always pretty damn decent, never exhilarating.
The Non-Tannehill Alternatives
If the Vikings don’t take the plunge with Tannehill but still desire a quasi-dependable QB2, these are the options:
- Joe Flacco
- Case Keenum
- Trey Lance
- Drew Lock
- Mike White
Minnesota could also explore a low-risk trade for a player like Aidan O’Connell (Las Vegas Raiders) or Sam Howell (Seattle Seahawks).
Minnesota recently ruled itself out of the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, a man who likely would’ve demanded or commanded a QB1 job ahead of the aforementioned McCarthy. Rodgers is tentatively expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tannehill will turn 37 this summer.
Joe Flacco is considered the other leading frontrunner to join the Vikings at QB2.
5 Breakout Players for the 2025 Vikings
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 MIN 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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