Last week, former Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was thrown into the group of possible No. 2 quarterback options for the Minnesota Vikings next season. The Vikings are interested in adding a veteran signal-caller to help assist J.J. McCarthy as he transitions into a starter this offseason and Tannehill appears to be someone who could potentially fill that role.
The former Titans quarterback and current free agent is still unsigned after reportedly talking with the Vikings, but that doesn't mean he won't eventually end up in purple and gold this year.
During an episode of "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport shared some new details about Minnesota's recent interaction with Tannehill.
"The Tannehill conversations, I didn't get the sense were much [of a conversation]. It's not like the conversations were like 'Alright, we'll offer you $20 million' and he's like, 'I want [$25 million].' That [wasn't] the conversation. If there was any conversation, it was more like 'Might you theoretically be available if we need you?'
Ryan Tannehill sat out all of last year. I think [he] would probably come back for the opportunity to start for an awesome team and maybe make some decent bridge quarterback money. Maybe 10 or 15 [million], something like that?
I don't get the sense anything is imminent and I think [the Vikings] hope that they don't need him. Because the hope is, your future is now, roll with J.J. McCarthy, who's really talented, and just move forward from there."
It doesn't sound like the Minnesota Vikings were talking to Ryan Tannehill about a backup role
Based on the comments from Rapoport on Monday, it seems like the recent contact that the Vikings reportedly made with Tannehill was only to find out if he would be interested in playing for them next season if they ended up needing another starting option under center.
While he would likely be a great backup for McCarthy for the 2025 campaign, that might not be a role that Tannehill is interested in at this point in his NFL career. Rapoport pointed out that the veteran quarterback sat out the entire 2024 season, and that probably had to do with him not receiving many offers, if any, to start for any teams in the league.
So, unless Tannehill is given the opportunity to compete to be Minnesota's starting quarterback for the upcoming 2025 season (which doesn't seem likely), he probably won't be signing with the team any time soon.