Ryan Tannehill admits he almost ‘went rogue’ in final Titans game
Oct 9, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) waves to fans while leaving the field after the Titans’ game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Sunday nearly took a page out of the New Orleans Saints’ Week 18 playbook.
Tannehill admitted that he considered going “rogue” Sunday during the Titans’ 28-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. The reason? Just like in Jameis Winston and the Saints’ recent insubordination, Tannehill’s intention was to help a teammate.
Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had $750,000 in incentives on the line in the game against the Jaguars. He needed to catch 7 passes for 39 yards with 2 touchdowns to trigger three different $250,000 season-long incentives for each receiving category.
Tannehill was asked after the game about how aware he was of Hopkins’ incentives.
“I was very aware. I thought that we were actually a couple of yards short. And I told him, ‘Hey I’m gonna get you this ball. I don’t care what they call, I’m gonna get you this ball,” Tannehill said, via Nubyjas Wilborn of SI’s Titans site. “So, thankful that I didn’t have to go rogue there, call a pass play at the end.”
#Titans Ryan Tannehill jokes that he almost “went rogue” to get DeAndre Hopkins the ball at the end of the game to hit contract incentives.
“I’m out anyway. I’ve got nothing to lose.” pic.twitter.com/l4oQtIPk9U
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) January 7, 2024
Tannehill was able to help Hopkins net a cool $500,000 by helping the Titans wideout catch 7 passes for 46 yards. Hopkins was just a touchdown shy of completing the trifecta.
The former Pro Bowl QB added that he had nothing to lose since he isn’t returning to the Titans next season.
Tannehill probably couldn’t have had a better opportunity to go rogue considering Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was fired days later.