ESPN's Turron Davenport reported late last week that the Tennessee Titans are comfortable going into the 2022 season with Ryan Tannehill as their starting quarterback.

That might be how the team feels right now, but things can change. Remember, Titans general manager Jon Robinson expressed confidence in Marcus Mariota after trading for Tannehill in early 2019.

One reason the Titans are likely "comfortable" with Tannehill in 2022, despite his lack of playoff success, is the massive dead cap hit of $57 million that he carries.

Moving on from Tannehill would require some creativity from Robinson.

There aren't many scenarios where Tennessee moves on from Tannehill that make sense.

However, there's at least one scenario that I think could work.

The best way for the Titans to move on from Tannehill is via a trade.

Tannehill's dead cap hit is $57.4 million if he's released before June 1. If he's released after June 1, that dead cap hit falls to $38.6 million (still significant).

If Tannehill is traded before June 1, the dead cap hit is $28.4 million. If he's traded after June 1, the dead cap hit is only $9.6 million (a post 6/1 trade would save the Titans around $29 million).

So the Titans need to find a trade partner that's willing to do a deal after June 1.

That won't be easy.

But I think there's an option.

The Washington Commanders.

The only quarterback that Washington currently has under contract is Taylor Heinicke at $2.8 million in 2022.

Heinicke obviously isn't the answer for the Commanders. And I don't think Washington is going to find their answer at quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft (this isn't a deep quarterback draft).

Washington needs a quarterback that would be an upgrade over Heinicke. I certainly think Tannehill qualifies.

The Titans don't really need anything in return — maybe a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

It's a win/win for both franchises. Washington isn't in a position to make a deep playoff run — with or without Tannehill. But they could at least make the playoffs with Tannehill under center.

That's important — I don't think Washington wants to unveil a new name and then go 5-12 in 2022.

Tannehill could help them avoid that.

And then the Titans would be free to pursue Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Jimmy Garoppolo. That could then lead to a Super Bowl.

(If Wilson gets dealt, a post 6/1 trade would make more sense for the Seattle Seahawks.)

The Titans probably aren't winning a Super Bowl with Tannehill under center. They need to find a way to move on.

This might be the only way that makes sense.

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports/George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK