Completion Rates for Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks

In the NFL, a quarterback’s completion rate is more than just a number—it’s a window into their accuracy, decision-making, and ability to execute an offense. For the Tennessee Titans, tracking completion rates across their quarterbacks has revealed trends in offensive philosophy, from the run-heavy attacks of the 2000s to the more balanced schemes of recent years. These rates aren’t just influenced by the quarterback’s skill; they depend on factors like the quality of receivers, offensive line protection, and game-day situations (e.g., third downs, red zones). Completion Rates for Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks explores the franchise’s history of passing accuracy, highlighting standout performers, explaining fluctuations in completion rates, and showing how this metric has shaped the team’s offensive identity over time.

Completion Rates for Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks first looks at the “McNair Era” (1999–2005), when Steve McNair emerged as one of the franchise’s most iconic quarterbacks. McNair’s career completion rate with the Titans was 58.4%, a solid mark for an era when the NFL was less pass-heavy and defenses were more physical. His best season came in 2003, when he completed 62.6% of his passes for 3,215 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning NFL Co-MVP honors. What made McNair’s accuracy impressive was his ability to thrive in pressure situations: he completed 64% of his passes on third down that season, helping the Titans convert 42% of their third-down attempts (top 5 in the NFL). McNair often targeted reliable receivers like Derrick Mason (who had 96 catches in 2003) and Eddie George out of the backfield, using short to intermediate routes to minimize risk. “Steve wasn’t the most flashy passer, but he was consistent,” said former Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. “He knew how to get the ball to his playmakers, even when defenses were keying on them.” While McNair’s completion rate may seem modest compared to modern quarterbacks, it was above the league average for his time (57.8% in 2003) and reflected his role as a game manager who prioritized wins over statistics.

The next era in Completion Rates for Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks is the “Transition Years” (2006–2015), a period marked by quarterback turnover and fluctuating completion rates. After McNair left the team in 2006, the Titans cycled through quarterbacks like Vince Young, Kerry Collins, and Jake Locker, each with varying levels of accuracy. Young, a Heisman Trophy winner, struggled with consistency, posting a career completion rate of 57.9% in five seasons with the Titans. His best year was 2009, when he completed 60.8% of his passes, but he also had seasons like 2008 (52.9%) where decision-making errors hurt his accuracy. Collins, a veteran who started for the Titans from 2006–2008, had a more stable 59.3% completion rate but lacked the mobility to extend plays. Locker, a first-round pick in 2011, showed promise with a 60.7% completion rate in 2013 but was derailed by injuries. This era’s inconsistent completion rates (ranging from 52.9% to 62.1%) mirrored the Titans’ offensive struggles: the team prioritized the run (led by Chris Johnson’s 2,006-yard season in 2009) and often used simple passing schemes to limit quarterback mistakes. “We were a run-first team then, so the quarterback’s job was to not lose the game,” said former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher. “Completion rates were important, but they took a backseat to protecting the ball and setting up the run.”

Completion Rates for Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks shifted dramatically with the arrival of Ryan Tannehill in 2019, marking the start of the “Modern Era” of Titans passing. Tannehill’s career completion rate with the Titans is 67.1% (through 2024), the highest in franchise history—far above the league average (64.5% in 2024) and a significant jump from previous eras. His best season came in 2020, when he completed 65.9% of his passes for 3,819 yards and 33 touchdowns, leading the Titans to the AFC Championship Game. Tannehill’s accuracy is fueled by several factors: a strong supporting cast (including receivers DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Brown), a balanced offense that uses Derrick Henry’s rushing to open passing lanes, and his ability to make quick decisions. He excels in the short passing game, completing 72% of his passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, and is clutch in the red zone (68% completion rate, top 3 among NFL quarterbacks since 2019). “Ryan’s accuracy has transformed our offense,” said Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. “He can get the ball to his receivers in tight windows, which makes our passing game unpredictable.” For the Tennessee Titans, Tannehill’s high completion rate has made the offense more efficient: the team has averaged 26.5 points per game since 2019 (top 10 in the NFL), a significant improvement from the 20.1 points per game averaged in the 2006–2015 era.

Completion Rates for Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks also explores how game situations impact accuracy, a factor that often goes overlooked in raw completion rate stats. Titans quarterbacks have historically performed better in “low-pressure” situations (e.g., first down, leading in the fourth quarter) than in “high-pressure” moments (e.g., fourth down, trailing in the fourth quarter). For example, Tannehill completes 71% of his passes when the Titans are leading by 7+ points but only 59% when they’re trailing by 7+ points. This trend holds for past quarterbacks too: McNair completed 63% of his passes on first down but 55% on fourth down. The Titans’ run-heavy identity contributes to this gap: in high-pressure situations, defenses often expect the run, forcing quarterbacks to throw into tighter coverage. However, there are exceptions—like Tannehill’s 2022 performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he completed 68% of his passes in the fourth quarter to lead a game-tying drive. “Situation matters more than people think,” said Titans offensive analyst Jim Wyatt. “A quarterback’s completion rate can drop 10–15% when they’re throwing into prevent defenses or facing constant blitzes.” For the Tennessee Titans, understanding these situational trends has helped the coaching staff adjust game plans: they now design more short passing plays for high-pressure situations, increasing the likelihood of completions and keeping drives alive.

The final aspect of Completion Rates for Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks is the role of receiver talent and offensive scheme in shaping accuracy. No quarterback can succeed without reliable targets, and the Titans’ best completion rates have come when they’ve had elite receivers. For example, when A.J. Brown was with the Titans (2019–2021), Tannehill’s completion rate was 68.3%, compared to 65.8ter Brown left (2022–2024). Brown’s ability to win one-on-one matchups and catch contested passes (he caught 72% of contested targets with the Titans) made him a safety valve for Tannehill. Similarly, McNair’s success in 2003 was tied to Derrick Mason, who led the NFL in catches that season and had a 70tch rate. Offensive scheme also plays a role: the Titans’ shift to a “spread offense” in recent years, which uses multiple receivers and tight ends to create mismatches, has boosted completion rates. This scheme contrasts with the “West Coast Offense” of the 2000s, which relied more on timing routes that required precise execution. “Good receivers make quarterbacks look better, and a good scheme makes both look great,” said former Titans receiver Derrick Mason. “When you have playmakers who can get open and a scheme that puts them in position to succeed, completion rates naturally go up.” For the Tennessee Titans, investing in receiver talent and adapting their offensive scheme has been key to improving passing accuracy—a trend that’s likely to continue as the team builds around Tannehill and future quarterbacks. Together, these factors have created a rich history of completion rates that tell the story of the Titans’ evolution from a run-first team to a balanced offensive force.