NASHVILLE- Ryan Tannehill has two young quarterbacks behind him, along with memories of an injury-shortened 2022 season that saw the Titans finish on a seven-game losing streak.
The veteran QB's focus, however, is on what's in front of him.
Tannehill is looking ahead to the 2023 season, starting with this Sunday's game at the New Orleans Saints.
"I am excited to go attack this season," Tannehill said. "We have an opportunity to get this thing going the right way. That is my mindset right now, to do everything I can this week to go win this game and keep doing that as the weeks go by, and we'll be in good shape.
"… You have to take advantage of your opportunities when they come, and we know that this is a big opportunity, and a big opportunity for myself."
Tannehill, heading into his 12th NFL season, has seen plenty of changes around him this offseason.
On Sunday, the Titans will have four new starters on the offensive line in front of him (LT Andre Dillard, LG Peter Skoronski, RG Daniel Brunskill, RT Chris Hubbard), along with a new offensive coordinator in Tim Kelly.
Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be one of Tannehill's top targets after signing with the team earlier this offseason, and rookie running back Tyjae Spears will also be a part of the team's group of offensive weapons. Veteran Chris Moore also joined the team this offseason as well.
But Tannehill, with back-up QBs Malik Willis and Will Levis behind him, believes the group has bonded in recent months. Returners like Derrick Henry, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chig Okonkwo and center Aaron Brewer are familiar faces around him as the team embarks on another season.
"I am excited," Tannehill said. "I am excited about the work we've put in up to this point. I'm excited about where our guys are at and the confidence we have going into this game. Now it is a matter of making the transition from doing it in practices to going to do it in games that count."
Tannehill had 2,536 passing yards with 15 touchdowns (13 pass, 2 rush) and six interceptions with a 94.6 rating in 12 starts in 2022.
He has five touchdowns (4 pass, 1 rush) and zero interceptions and a 119.8 rating in his past two starts against the Saints.
On Sunday, Tannehill will aim for his seventh game in a row vs an NFC opponent with a 95-plus rating.
Tannehill knows the Saints will provide a big challenge on defense, along with a lot of unknowns, on Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
"Week One is definitely a wild game, every year it's like this," Tannehill said. "You have so much time to prepare, you never really know what they are going to throw at you – they've had all offseason to scheme up something and try and hit you with it.
"So, you never know exactly what you are going to get. Obviously, you have an idea, but there's also some wild cards thrown in."
