Perhaps nobody on the Tennessee Titans had a tougher draft weekend than quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Not only did he lose his top target in A.J. Brown, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Titans also drafted someone the team hopes will be his future replacement, Liberty signal-caller, Malik Willis.
As far as Brown no longer being in Nashville is concerned, Tannehill said the loss of the Ole Miss product “hurts” both professionally and personally. He also stated he believed Brown and the Titans would get something done.
“Obviously, professionally it hurt; top target, heck of a football player, made big plays for us consistently over the last three years. Personally, it hurt. A.J. is a good friend, have a lot of great times, great memories on and off the field with him. Not being able to see him on a daily basis is going to be different, it’s going to be hard. Happy to see him get what he wanted, but at the end of the day, it hurts.”
Tannehill said he honestly thought #Titans and AJ Brown would get a deal done. Said he communicated with AJ in the off-season. Unfortunately, he said it didn't work out. When it first happened, I was shocked. I thought this isn't real, this is a bad dream.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 3, 2022
A lot was made about Tannehill possibly not reaching out right away to his new receiver, Treylon Burks, but the Titans quarterback said he did in fact reach out to Burks the night he was drafted but didn’t get a response.
However, by Saturday he and Burks had indeed talked, and Tannehill says the pair had a great conversation. The veteran also believes Burks will be a good fit for the Titans’ offense.
Tannehill said he reached out to Burks the night of the draft, didn't hear back so he called him on Saturday and had a good conversation.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 3, 2022
Ryan Tannehill said he texted Treylon Burks the night of the draft then had a convo w/him on Saturday. Feels Burks fits what the #Titans want to do and is getting ready to work with him. pic.twitter.com/ep2000IjID
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) May 3, 2022