The 2022 NFL season will welcome an unexpected quarterback competition within the Tennessee Titans organization.
Much to the surprise of fans and analysts around the league, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis slid all the way down draft boards to the Titans’ 86th overall pick. The incoming rookie will now compete for the starting job with veteran signal caller Ryan Tannehill.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Tannehill said he texted Willis to welcome him to the organization. But, he later added that he doesn’t plan on acting as a mentor for the highly-touted prospect.
“We’re competing against each other, we’re watching the same tape, we’re doing the same drills,” Tannehill told reporters. “I don’t think it’s my job to mentor him, but if he learns from me along the way, then that’s a great thing.”
Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner isn’t a fan of Tannehill’s outlook on the situation.
“I will never understand the ‘I’m not here to mentor the next guy’ mentality… so for all you young QBs that need a mentor, DM me & Ill be that guy, happy to help in any way I can!” Warner wrote on Twitter.
“I never want to beat a guy out for job just bc the other guy isn’t at his best – I want him at his best and then the best man win… maybe I’m just wired differently!” he added.
Willis is widely considered the most intriguing raw quarterback talent from this year’s draft class. With some sky-high potential, the rookie QB would certainly benefit from a veteran mentor.