4 backup QBs the Tennessee Titans should target in free agency
With the Tennessee Titans likely to be in the market for a backup quarterback in 2020, here are four options they should target.
Perhaps nobody in the NFL knows how important it is to have a good backup quarterback more than the Tennessee Titans.
In 2019, Tennessee was unsure of what to expect from former starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, who had dealt with injuries and inconsistency in the past. In fact, the Titans were so unsure they didn’t extend his contract past the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
As an insurance policy, general manager Jon Robinson acquired quarterback Ryan Tannehill from the Miami Dolphins following the 2018 season and it turned out to be the most important move Robinson would make.
After Mariota flamed out for several reasons and the Titans were 2-4 going nowhere, the team turned to Tannehill, who was able to elevate the offense and compile a 7-3 record in the last 10 games that ultimately resulted in a playoff berth as the No. 6 seed in the AFC.
While Tannehill looks to be the answer moving forward and will almost certainly be brought back, the Titans would be wise to have another insurance policy behind him in an experienced backup, as Tannehill has dealt with his own share of injuries in the past.
And because of Tannehill’s injury history, free agent quarterbacks who are looking for a chance to start could target Tennessee as a destination. Adding to that, the Titans’ run-heavy approach makes any quarterback’s job easier.
The Titans already have quarterback Logan Woodside on the roster after he was signed to a futures contract, but there is no track record to ensure he’d be able to pick up the slack with any kind of success if Tannehill were to get hurt.
What the Titans need is a guy who still gives them a chance to win games should the worst happen, or at the very least if Tannehill is forced to miss a game or two. As we saw in 2019, every single game can be the difference between the playoffs and an early end to the season.
Without further ado, here are four experienced backups the Titans should target in free agency if they decide to not draft a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft.