NFL reporter speculates Ryan Tannehill could be an option for the Bengals if released

Ryan Tannehill was recently beat out by Will Levis for the role of starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. The Cincinnati Bengals could use an established quarterback. If Tannehill were to be cut by the Titans, would he make sense as an option for the Bengals?

NFL insider Jeremy Fowler suggested that the veteran signal-caller might be an option for Cincinnati if he takes a buyout with the Titans, who might want to do him a solid after taking the team to the playoffs in three straight seasons from 2019-2021.

“Perhaps Ryan Tannehill could be an option [to fill in for Joe Burrow] if he works out a release with Tennessee due to his desire to play,” Fowler wrote on ESPN.

If Fowler is basing this on something he actually heard, that would mean that Zac Taylor and the Bengals are serious about making the playoffs this year.

While Tannehill has struggled this year, with just two touchdowns to six interceptions in six games, he has the kind of experience that would send a message to a roster full of playoff-tested veterans that the team isn’t packing things in it. He was also playing behind a disaster of an offensive line that can’t block anyone, so that has to be mentioned.

For now, we’ll have to wait to see if the first step (Tannehill being granted his release) happens before we can know for sure if Cincinnati has any interest.

In the meantime, the Bengals just signed Drew Plitt to the practice squad, while AJ McCarron figures to be signed to the 53-man roster as Jake Browning’s backup.