Ryan Tannehill will have to adjust to life without his top wide receiver.
On Thursday night, the Tennessee Titans sent A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th and 101st overall draft picks. Brown promptly agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract with $57 million guaranteed.
When speaking to reporters Tuesday, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk), Tannehill said it stung to see his teammate and friend traded, but he’s glad Brown got the extension he desired.
“Professionally, it hurt,” Tannehill said. “Top target, heck of a football player, made big plays for us consistently over the last three years. Personally, it hurt. A.J.’s 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.”
Brown had led the Titans in receiving yards three straight years since getting drafted with the 51st pick in 2019. During Brown’s rookie year, Tannehill replaced Marcus Mariota under center and enjoyed the most success of his NFL career before struggling last season.
Tannehill will now attempt to rebound without Brown. Although Tennessee signed Robert Woods and used the acquired first-round selection to draft Arkansas wideout Treylon Burks, the 33-year-old quarterback lacks a clear top target heading into 2022.
He’ll also have to look over his shoulder since the Titans picked quarterback Malik Willis in the third round. Tannehill will miss Brown while looking to preserve his starting spot and guide the team to another AFC South title.