Career Timeline of Ryan Tannehill: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Ryan Tannehill built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Ryan Tannehill is an American former professional football quarterback who played 11 seasons in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans. Drafted eighth overall by the Dolphins in 2012 after playing college football at Texas A&M, Tannehill spent his early career in Miami before being traded to Tennessee. He achieved some success with the Titans, leading them to the AFC Championship Game in 2019. While he demonstrated moments of high performance and secured a few wins, he ultimately faced challenges with consistency and injuries throughout his career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1983: Dan Marino's passing record

In 1983, Dan Marino set the Dolphins' single-game record for most passing yards by a rookie quarterback. Tannehill surpassed that record two weeks later against the Arizona Cardinals.

1983: Dan Marino drafted

In 1983, Dan Marino was drafted. Ryan Tannehill was the first quarterback selected by the Dolphins in the first round since Dan Marino in 1983.

2000: Early career

In 2000, during his early career, he attempted only one pass as a quarterback the whole season.

2002: Dolphins 3-0 start

In 2002, the Dolphins had a 3-0 start for the first time. Tannehill helped his team achieve a 3-0 start for the first time since 2002.

2006: Track and Field Achievements

In 2006, at the District 4-4A championships, Ryan Tannehill secured third place in the 300 m hurdles with a time of 41.24 seconds and achieved second place in the triple jump event with a distance of 13.19 meters.

2007: Redshirted at Texas A&M

In 2007, Ryan Tannehill redshirted his first season at Texas A&M, declining offers from the University of Houston, TCU, Tulsa, and UTEP.

2008: Dolphins last playoff appearance

In 2008 was the last time the dolphins had a playoff berth before 2016.

2008: AFC Seed #1

The team had not clinched the #1 seed in the AFC since 2008.

2009: Competition for Starting Quarterback

During the 2009 offseason, Ryan Tannehill competed with Jerrod Johnson for the starting quarterback position, but Johnson won the job.

2009: Longest run by a quarterback

In 2009 Pat White had a 30-yard run. In Week 16 Ryan Tannehill set a franchise record for longest run by a quarterback by rushing 31 yards in a single play.

2009: All-Big 12 Honorable Mention

In 2009, Ryan Tannehill finished the season with 46 receptions for 609 yards and four touchdowns, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors for his performance. He only took eight snaps as a quarterback for the entire season.

2010: Fewest Completions and Yards by a Winning Postseason Quarterback

In 2010, Joe Flacco completed 4 of 10 for 34 yards performance was against the Patriots and the fewest completions and yards by a winning postseason quarterback. In the Wild Card Game against the defending Super Bowl LIII champion Patriots, Tannehill completed eight passes on 15 attempts for 72 yards

2010: Continued role as Wide Receiver

In 2010, Ryan Tannehill continued to play wide receiver during the first six games of the season, making 11 catches for 143 yards. He attempted four passes during the season opener.

2011: NFL Single-game passing-yard record

In 2011 Cam Newton set the NFL's single-game passing-yard record by a rookie quarterback. Two weeks later against the Arizona Cardinals, Tannehill threw for 431 yards. One yard shy of the NFL's single-game passing-yard record by a rookie quarterback

2011: Starting Quarterback for Texas A&M

In 2011, Ryan Tannehill started all 13 games at quarterback for the Aggies, throwing for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. He completed 61.6% of his passes with a quarterback rating of 133.2.

July 28, 2012: Signed Rookie Contract with Dolphins

On July 28, 2012, Ryan Tannehill signed his four-year rookie contract with the Miami Dolphins, valued at approximately $12.688 million, including a fifth-year option.

August 20, 2012: Named Starting Quarterback

On August 20, 2012, Ryan Tannehill was named the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins' season opener against the Houston Texans. He finished the game with 219 passing yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions in a 30–10 loss.

2012: Drafted by Miami Dolphins

In 2012, Ryan Tannehill was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the NFL draft with the eighth overall pick. He became the first quarterback selected by the Dolphins in the first round since Dan Marino in 1983.

2014: Hiring of Bill Lazor

In 2014, the Dolphins hired Bill Lazor as the new offensive coordinator, giving Ryan Tannehill a new playbook to learn.

May 18, 2015: Signed Contract Extension with Dolphins

On May 18, 2015, Ryan Tannehill signed a six-year, $96 million contract extension with the Miami Dolphins, extending through the 2020 season.

2015: 2015 Season Stats

In 2015, Ryan Tannehill finished the season with 4,208 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

2016: Playoff Berth

In 2016, the Miami Dolphins finished the season with a 10-6 record, clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2008, with Ryan Tannehill playing in 13 games.

March 1, 2018: Starting Quarterback Announcement

On March 1, 2018, head coach Adam Gase announced that Ryan Tannehill would continue to be the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.

2018: Consecutive completed passes record tied

In 2018, Philip Rivers and Nick Foles tied Ryan Tannehill's NFL record for consecutive completed passes, which he set in 2015.

2018: 2018 Season Stats

In 2018, Ryan Tannehill finished the season with 1,979 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 11 games and starts.

March 15, 2019: Traded to Tennessee Titans

On March 15, 2019, Ryan Tannehill was traded to the Tennessee Titans by the Miami Dolphins. He signed a one-year deal worth $7 million with up to $12 million in incentives.

2019: 2019 Season Stats

In 2019, Ryan Tannehill had 2,742 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He set franchise records with a 117.5 quarterback rating and 9.6 yards per attempt, and a 70.3 completion percentage.

2019: Trade to Tennessee Titans

In 2019, Ryan Tannehill was traded to the Tennessee Titans, where he became the starting quarterback midway through the season, leading the team to the AFC Championship Game. He was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year and earned Pro Bowl honors.

January 20, 2020: Pro Bowl Selection

On January 20, 2020, Ryan Tannehill was named to his first career Pro Bowl, replacing Patrick Mahomes.

February 1, 2020: NFL Comeback Player of the Year

On February 1, 2020, Ryan Tannehill was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

March 17, 2020: Signed Extension with Titans

On March 17, 2020, Ryan Tannehill signed a four-year extension with the Tennessee Titans worth $118 million, with $62 million guaranteed.

2020: 2020 Season Stats

In 2020, Ryan Tannehill finished the season with 3,819 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The Titans finished atop the AFC South with an 11–5 record and qualified for the playoffs.

2020: Lifewater International Representation

In 2020, Ryan Tannehill represented Lifewater International for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign.

2020: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2020, Ryan Tannehill was ranked 68th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

2020: Traded to Tennessee Titans

In 2020, the Miami Dolphins traded Tannehill to the Titans.

2020: Contract Extension End

In 2020, the contract extension signed on May 18, 2015 was completed. Tannehill signed a six-year, $96 million contract extension with the Miami Dolphins, extending through the 2020 season.

2021: Free agency

In 2021, Ryan Tannehill became an unrestricted free agent.

2021: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2021, Ryan Tannehill was ranked 83rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

2021: 2021 Regular Season

Ryan Tannehill finished the 2021 regular season with 3,734 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions to go along with 55 carries for 270 yards and tying a career-high 7 rushing touchdowns in 17 games.