The Titans selecting Malik Willis 86th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft raised some eyebrows. Ryan Tannehill appeared to be cemented at quarterback even after back-to-back seasons without a playoff win.
More surprising was Tannehill's apparent reaction to Willis's arrival. Tannehill appeared to have no interest in working to help the rookie, sparking debate around the NFL world. when he said, "I don't think it's my job to mentor [Willis]" at the beginning of May.
MORE: Tannehill's comments spark mentorship debate
Willis, perhaps unsurprisingly given the character he displayed throughout the predraft and draft processes, was gracious toward Tannehill's comments and said "everything's cool."
Malik Willis on Ryan Tannehill’s comment about it not being the veteran’s job to mentor the rookie. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/aXfJBwAvV4
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) May 13, 2022
"Man, we chopped it up," Willis said Friday during media availability. "It was never anything negative. Ryan's a good dude. Like I said, he had us over to the house. Everything's cool, man."
Willis was made available to the media at the team's rookie minicamp, where the first glimpses of him in Titans garb surfaced.
First look at @malikwillis at @Titans rookie minicamp. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/8LA3682YiS
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) May 13, 2022
Titans coach Mike Vrabel told reporters, via Buck Reising of AtoZSports Nashville: “I thought Ryan handled that very well. I thought he was genuine and authentic. I know Ryan is a great teammate. That is not his job. His job is to help us win games.”
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It doesn't appear as if friction in the quarterback room will be much of an issue in Tennessee, although what happens when the pressure mounts will be something to watch. The Titans are back-to-back AFC South champions and they're trying to put two disappointing finishes behind them.
