Ryan Tannehill made the headlines on Wednesday after going on record and saying that he doesn’t want to mentor Malik Willis, the rookie quarterback who the Tennessee Titans drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

While Tannehill was very complimentary of Willis – and made it clear that he texted him to congratulate about getting the job -, the current starting quarterback from the Titans also made it clear that he’s not going to become Willis’ mentor, but that’s a great thing if the young fella learns from him.

“That’s part of being in a quarterback room, in the same room. We’re competing against each other, we’re watching the same tape, we’re doing the same drills,” Tannehill said to reporters on Tuesday. “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.”, he finished.

Tannehill mentoring Malik Willis pic.twitter.com/o6gRGfMOlY

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 4, 2022

Is Tannehill frustrated with the Titans taking Willis?

Being the number one quarterback always come with some kind of responsibility, and Tannehill isn’t exactly wrong he says it’s not part of his job to mentor Willis, as harsh as it sounds. That’s a coach’s job, and starting quarterbacks should only focus on getting better, studying opposing defenses, and so on.

i don’t think the tannehill quote re: willis is bad at all

— victoria zeller (ONE OF THE BOYS, ‘25) (@dirtbagqueer) May 4, 2022

Titans QB Ryan Tannehill Sought Therapy After Playoff Loss Put Him in 'Dark Place': 'A Deep Scar' https://t.co/EdZQRm4LRA

— People (@people) May 4, 2022

Why would Tannehill help the guy who’s prone to take his job away? At some point, clearly Willis will become the starter, and it’s not like Tannehill is actively delaying this to happen with not mentoring him. Ryan is only doing his job, which is to work hard and win games for the Tennessee Titans. If the rookie learns something from this, great, but it’s not like the veteran needs to help him.

Not to bring up the Tannehill thing again, but here is Cam when CAR drafted Grier. Much better imo pic.twitter.com/WAcqVdKxC7

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) May 4, 2022

Tannehill is absolutely right when he says it isn’t his job. He’s there to play and not to coach. He’s been with the organization for four years now and he has led the Titans to the playoffs in every single one of them, so his value to the team is unmatched. Still, when it’s time for Willis to wrestle the job away, it’s not like Tannehill should just give it to him. It’s the NFL. Earn it, buddy.