Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon commits to 'moving forward' with Ryan Tannehill at QB
INDIANAPOLIS — Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon committed to Ryan Tannehill as the Titans' quarterback.
For now.
Carthon spoke about Tannehill at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. Previously, Carthon had said he needs to do more evaluation of Tannehill before he can make a decision about the quarterback's long-term prospects with the team. But Tuesday, Carthon was more specific about Tannehill's status with the team.
"Ryan's done a great job. Ryan's won a lot of football games," Carthon said. "He's been a diligent worker. He's been in the building every day rehabbing and getting his work in. He's under contract. I'm excited about moving forward with him."
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When asked directly whether he expects Tannehill to be the Titans' quarterback in 2023, Carthon reiterated that Tannehill is under contract.
"Ryan is under contract," Carthon said. "I just want to speak freely for a moment. I know everybody wants to make a big deal out of the quarterback position and whether he will or will not be here. But you guys have to accept the fact that Ryan is under contract for us. Right now he's a Titan and he will be a Titan."
Tannehill is under contract through the end of the 2023 season. Tannehill's contract will cost the Titans $27 million in cap space this year, but the team can save $17.8 million against the cap by releasing or trading him before June 1 or all $27 million against the cap by releasing or trading him after June 1. The Titans made a series of similar cost-saving maneuvers last week, releasing veterans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, wide receiver Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunningham and kicker Randy Bullock to free up more than $30 million in salary cap space.
Carthon said the Titans haven't discussed restructuring Tannehill's contract with Tannehill or his representation yet.
"I don't want to speak on his contract status," Carthon said. "I don't think that's fair to him. I don't think that's fair to his reps. We haven't approached that or spoke about that with them so I don't want to speak about it publicly with anyone."
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ran Carthon commits to Ryan Tannehill as Tennessee Titans QB — for now
