Titans’ Super Bowl Odds Listed at +2200 After Sticking with Tannehill
- The Titans have agreed to re-sign quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a four-year, $118-million contract
- Tannehill led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game last season in his first year in Tennessee
- A look at how the Titans’ odds to win Super Bowl 55 have changed in light of the Tannehill news
Ryan Tannehill – not Tom Brady – will be the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback in 2020 and for the foreseeable feature.
Tannehill will reportedly forego free agency and sign a four-year, $118-million contract, with $62 million fully guaranteed, on Wednesday (March 18) when the NFL’s league year begins.
The news broke Sunday (March 15) and the Titans’ Super Bowl 55 odds to win the Super Bowl immediately shortened.
Titans Odds to Win Super Bowl 55
| Date | Odds |
|---|---|
| February 10 | +3500 |
| March 16 | +2200 |
Odds taken Mar. 16
The Titans had long been rumored to be a possible landing spot for Brady, who will test free agency following 20 seasons and six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.
That won’t happen.
Tennessee let’s run it back 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 #TITANUP pic.twitter.com/rydM0LSoEN
— Ryan Tannehill (@ryantannehill1) March 15, 2020
The speculation was born from the strong ties between Titans’ coach Mike Vrabel and Brady. Vrabel and Brady were teammates with the Patriots for eight seasons. Vrabel also spent time on New England’s coaching staff.
Turning Around Titans
Tannehill was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2019.
He began the season as the backup to Marcus Mariota, having been signed as a free agent after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins.
Tannehill took over as the starter in mid-October and guided the Titans within one game of the Super Bowl.
"Keep grinding, your life can change in one year…" pic.twitter.com/LMhy4xnlEC
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 15, 2020
The Titans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, falling 35-24 as they failed to hold an early 10-0 lead. That came after Tennessee upset the Patriots and top-seeded Baltimore Ravens on the road in their first two playoff games.
The Titans went 9-4 in games started by Tannehill. That included a 7-3 record in the last 10 regular-season games, which enabled Tennessee to gain the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC playoffs
Season for the Ages
Tannehill led the NFL with a 117.5 passer rating, which was not only the best of his career the fourth-highest mark in league history.
He threw for 2,472 yards and 22 touchdowns while being intercepted six times and setting a team record with a 70.3 completion percentage. Tannehill’s 9.6 yards per attempt also topped the NFL.
The Titans bring back free agent QB Ryan Tannehill on a 4-year deal, after his strong end to the 2019 season.
Tannehill was among the best quarterbacks under pressure last season, finishing in the top 2 in comp pct (64.2%), yards per attempt (10.4) and passer rating (121.9). https://t.co/J7yuAwQbKm pic.twitter.com/kBY2UAPH9s
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 16, 2020
Tannehill was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time and voted as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Having Henry Helps
The Titans are seemingly a team on the upswing, especially after placing the franchise tag on running back Derrick Henry. Thus, the NFL’s reigning rushing champion will be back for at least one more season.
Unless Henry holds out, of course.
One to watch into the summer: #Titans running back Derrick Henry, whose franchise number of $10.278 million (hat tip, @AlbertBreer) makes him a prime holdout candidate. Punishing touch total pushes running backs to force their leverage when they have the opportunity to do it.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 16, 2020
However, Tennessee needed to release some veterans in order to clear enough salary cap space for Tannehill and Henry. Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker was among those who got the ax along with linebacker Cameron Wake, running back Dion Lewis and kicker Ryan Succop.
It also appears the Titans won’t have enough money to re-sign right tackle Jack Conklin and cornerback Logan Ryan.
Thus, general manager Jon Robinson has some roster holes to fill either through free agency or in the draft.
A One-Year Wonder?
Another big question surrounding the Titans and Tannehill is whether last season’s performance was an indication that his career is ready to take off or an aberration?
The 31-year-old’s previous career bests were a 93.5 passer rating, 67.1 completion percentage and 7.7 yards per attempt. All came in 2016.
The Dolphins had a 51-50 record in games Tannehill started. While that isn’t bad, it is fair to believe Miami expected more from a quarterback chosen eighth overall in the 2012 draft.
Granted, Tannehill didn’t have a back like Henry to shoulder the load with the Dolphins, but he still looks headed for regression in 2020. And that means the Titans don’t have much value with their Super Bowl odds improving.
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
