No, Ryan Tannehill Doesn't Need To Mentor Malik Willis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has had a rough 2022. Tannehill went from the hero who replaced Marcus Mariota to one of the most criticized players on a team that he helped lead to three straight playoff appearances.

The Titans missed out on their best Super Bowl chance in more than a decade because Tannehill threw three interceptions in a playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The media and fans have criticized him for taking so long to speak about the loss. During the 2022 NFL Draft, Tannehill watched the Titans trade away his best wide receiver and draft a possible replacement in Malik Willis.

His latest controversy: he doesn’t believe it’s his job to help the new quarterback take his job.

"I don't think it's my job to mentor [Malik Willis], but if he learns from me along the way then that's a great thing."

– Ryan Tannehill

via @PaulKuharskyNFL pic.twitter.com/CP6vb6LELi
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) May 3, 2022

This irritated more than fans. Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmanzadeh and former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark tweeted strong remarks about how they felt Tannehill was responsible for getting his teammate ready to play.

As a LEADER, it’s ur duty to MENTOR these young players! Ryan Tannehill as the QB you must be better than this! You’ve played long enough…that’s something WE do!
— T.J. Houshmandzadeh (@housh84) May 3, 2022

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

Other people held an opinion similar to A to Z Sports Buck Reising:

It's not Ryan Tannehill's job to mentor Malik Willis. It wasn't Joe Flacco's job to mentor Lamar Jackson. Tom Brady actively undermined Jimmy G. Please ask Aaron Rodgers how supportive Brett Farvre was
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) May 3, 2022

Ryan Tannehill Is Not Responsible For Malik Willis

Many fans are upset because of the disappointing playoff loss and the unexpectedness of the A.J. Brown trade. Trading Brown almost certainly will have a negative effect in 2022. The Titans will try to replace his production with rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks, Robert Woods coming off an ACL injury, and new tight end Austin Hooper. Instead of one player, the Titans need a team effort.

I understand why Titans fans are upset. But everyone must keep in mind that Tannehill is the quarterback of a team that still has Super Bowl aspirations. The Titans finished last season as the No. 1 seed. Even during one of their worst offensive games, the defense helped them take the eventual AFC champions to the last play.

Tannehill’s job isn’t to care about the future; it’s to care about now. Every bit of his energy should go toward getting better in 2022. That means building chemistry and relationships with his coaches and the players who will play. This includes starters and role players. Tannehill must play his best so the players who are playing—his supporting cast—can play their best.

Willis? He’s a backup quarterback. Unless Tannehill gets injured, Willis isn’t playing. That’s not his concern.

And let’s look at it from Tannehill’s perspective. At age 33 and in an era with quarterbacks playing into their 40s, Tannehill isn’t thinking about setting the Titans up without him. He’s thinking about earning another $118 million contract before his career ends. Maybe something even richer.

Helping Willis take his job does him no good. It just makes him a nice person. Which nets hm $0.

Leave Malik Willis To The Coaches

AP Pro Football Writer and four-time Tennessee Sportswriter of Year Teresa Walker put it simple in this tweet:

Tannehill's job is to try to win games for the Titans, Pat O'Hara is the QB coach. https://t.co/aMQNnSf6kq
— Teresa Walker (@TeresaMWalker) May 3, 2022

This is correct. Any help that Ryan Tannehill offers Willis is appreciated but it’s not his responsibility.

Tannehill should focus on money and championships for himself and the players around him who play. Helping develop a quarterback isn’t a priority. Willis is a project who the coaches must prepare so he’s ready when his time comes.