The Phinsider
With the eighth-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. It was the first time Miami had selected a quarterback in the first round of the Draft since Dan Marino was selected 27th in 1983. Tannehill started in Week 1 as a rookie, a position he would hold for six seasons – missing the 2017 season due to an ACL injury.
In 2019, the Dolphins traded Tannehill to the Tennessee Titans, where he played five more years. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first season with Tennessee and was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
Tannehill’s contract with the Titans expired after the 2023 season. Despite the potential Tannehill could land with another team, either as a veteran backup or a bridge quarterback, he never signed with a club for 2024 and remains out of football as the schedule heads into Week 11 of the 2025 season.
On Thursday, Tannehill spoke with D.J. Siddiqi at The Escapist to discuss the possibility of a return to football.
“I think that chapter is closed,” Tannehill said. “I think last year, that was where I was at, if the right opportunity came up and was right for our family. Staying in shape and staying ready. I had plenty of calls, but nothing ever felt like the right opportunity that I was looking for. That was last NFL season. At this point, I think that ship has sailed for me.”
Tannehill never used “retire” during the interview, but it does seem as though he is ready to leave the game behind him unless a major opportunity presents itself.
“Nothing’s ever set in stone,” he continued. “I’d have to start throwing again. I stay in shape just because I like staying in shape and it’s part of how I like to live my life. But as far as going out and having throwing sessions, I haven’t done that since last year. It’d be a little bit of knocking some rust off to get the arm moving again.”
If the ship has sailed and Tannehill moves from “free agent” to “retired,” he ends his career with 11 years played, throwing for 34,881 yards on a 64.3 percent completion rate. He has 216 passing touchdowns in his career, along with 115 interceptions, and a 91.2 passer rating.
Oh, and, did you know Tannehill played wide receiver in college?
He also ran for 2,103 yards and 27 touchdowns during his career and caught four passes for eight yards and a touchdown.
He remains third all-time in passing yards and passing touchdowns for the Dolphins, trailing just Hall of Famers Dan Marino and Bob Griese. Using 1500 attempts as the minimum for qualification, he is second in passer rating and completion percentage, behind Tagovailoa.
Tannehill is in Spain, along with two-time Pro Bowl and former league...
