Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been a lightning rod for criticism since the team’s playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals — and he didn’t help himself on Tuesday after saying it wasn’t his job to mentor Tennessee’s 2022 third-round pick, Malik Willis.
“That’s part of being in a quarterback room, in the same room. We’re competing against each other, we’re watching the same tape, we’re doing the same drills,” Tannehill explained. “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.”
In defense of Tannehill, he’s right: it isn’t his job to bring a young player along; that’s what coaches are for. Adding to that, Tannehill wouldn’t be the first veteran signal-caller to not want to mentor the guy set to replace him.
Now, is this comment bad optics when it comes to being a leader and a teammate?
Sure, but at the end of the day Tannehill’s actions will speak louder than his words. I highly doubt he won’t help Willis in at least some form or fashion along the way, even under the circumstances.
Whatever the case may be, Tannehill’s comment drew criticism from multiple former NFL players. Here’s what they had to say:
I see Ryan Tannehill is on his “Not my job to mentor” energy. It’s not, but man it makes you a good teammate. You can win without your QB being a good teammate but better for the team if he is. What a leader! Guess the Steelers’ DBs had it all wrong taking time w/ rookies & 💩
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) May 3, 2022
I will never understand the “I’m not here to mentor the next guy” mentality… so for all you young QBs that need a mentor, DM me & Ill be that guy, happy to help in any way I can!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) May 3, 2022
Appreciate the honesty. Tannehill’s job is winning games but it’s nice when veterans go out of their way to mentor young guys. I had mentors as a young player and felt I needed to do the same when I was an older guy https://t.co/uA4jZcH6a8
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) May 3, 2022
👇🏽 it’s this part. 17 ain’t wrong because it’s not technically in his job description but man… https://t.co/QT1FUSAFlW
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) May 3, 2022
