Steelers expected to explore adding Ryan Tannehill in free agency

With the Tennessee Titans and quarterback Ryan Tannehill set to part ways as the veteran signal-caller becomes a free agent this offseason, there is at least one team expected to be interested in his services.

According to NFL Network reporters Mike Garafolo, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to explore adding Tannehill in free agency.

With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the expectation is Pittsburgh will explore adding free agent Ryan Tannehill, who had his best years with the Titans while Smith was the OC there.

Tannehill saw his job taken by rookie quarterback Will Levis in 2023 after he suffered an injury, and he has made it quite clear he doesn’t plan on being back in Nashville in 2024.

Tannehill was sensational over his first two years with the Titans while playing under former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is now Pittsburgh’s play-caller after being fired by the Atlanta Falcons.

But things went off the rails in his final two years with the team.

Granted, he didn’t play as well as he did in the three years prior, but it wasn’t completely Tannehill’s fault. Not only was Tennessee’s offensive line one of the worst in the league in that span, the team also lacked pass-catchers.

The interest between Tannehill and the Steelers will likely be mutual. After all, the Steelers need an insurance policy for Kenny Pickett, and Tannehill will be looking for a place that offers him a chance to start.

Having Smith there will only make the Steelers more intriguing for Tannehill. He would be entering a similar situation to the one he had with the Titans in 2019, when he was brought in as an insurance policy for Marcus Mariota before ultimately taking the job and reviving the franchise.

The 35-year-old’s stock has certainly taken a hit over the last two years, but he can bounce back in the right situation.