Titans QB Tannehill: Not my job to mentor Malik Willis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has made it clear that he will not be guiding former Liberty QB Malik Willis, whom the team chose with the 86th pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Tannehill surprised by quarterback pick

“We’re competing against each other, we’re watching the same tape, we’re doing the same drills. I don’t think it’s my job to mentor him. But if he learns from me along the way, then that’s a great thing,” Tannehill said.

The 33-year-old said he was not informed that the team would be drafting a quarterback, although he did say that he sent Willis a text message to welcome him after he was officially selected by the franchise.

He added that he has no problems with the rookie quarterback, and that he believes the organization was trying to strengthen the team with his addition.

Tannehill hurt by A.J. Brown trade

Tannehill also spoke of his surprise when his top wide receiver A.J. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday. He said that the decision hurt him both professionally- as he has high regard for the wideout as a player- and personally, as he described Brown to be “a good friend”.

“I was shocked. When I first found out, I’m like, ‘This isn’t real, this isn’t happening, it’s a rumor,” according to the 2019 Pro Bowler.

“And then I talked to A.J. and found out it was real. I slept terrible that night and kept thinking it was just a bad dream, but that’s where we’re at.”

Despite the shakeup in the team’s roster, Tannehill is motivated to play his best next season. He said he was haunted by their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, where he threw three interceptions.

The veteran said he has received therapy to cope with the painful loss, and that the experience now serves as fuel for him to play with “a desire to win” like he’s never had before.