This entire offseason for the Tennessee Titans will be centered around what the team does with starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill, who is set to to make $36.6 million in 2023, is a candidate to be released by the Titans for salary cap savings. Tannehill has also been a name floated around in trade discussions, with over a dozen teams around the NFL searching for a starting quarterback.

What the Titans decide to do will not only have an impact on this offseason, but potentially the direction of the franchise in the future, depending on who replaces Tannehill if/when Tennessee goes in a different direction.

While it has been hard to get a feel for what direction the Titans will go with their franchise quarterback, national media outlets are already dropping "bold predictions" about what's next for the Titans. Mike Jones of The Athletic wrote the following in his article with ten bold predictions for this NFL offseason:

5. Titans release Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill, 34, has been solid for the Titans, helping them reach the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. But the winds in Nashville are changing. Tennessee drafted Malik Willis last year, injuries diminished Tannehill's effectiveness and availability, and he's set to count $27 million against a salary cap the Titans already exceed by nearly $24 million. The Titans need to replenish their defense and further bolster an offense that consists of only moderate talent outside of Derrick Henry.

Head coach Mike Vrabel and GM Ran Carthon will ultimately need to look in the mirror and ask themselves a few questions.

Can the Titans be legitimate Super Bowl contenders with Ryan Tannehill in 2023? Is there a quarterback available in free agency or the draft that is both realistically acquirable and an upgrade? Who do they ideally see as the Titans' quarterback two or three years into the future, and how do they best position the organization to get to that point?

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the Ryan Tannehill situation this offseason. For some, it is blatantly obvious that the Titans are not going to win a Super Bowl with him under center, and that is enough to cheer for his departure. For others, there are legitimate questions about whether or not the grass is greener on the other side, and there is reason to keep him around.

Regardless of what Carthon, Vrabel, and the Titans decide to do, it needs to be done with intentionality for the future of the franchise. The Titans are at a crossroads as an organization on whether or not to double down on this core and make a push for another playoff run or take a year of retooling to set themselves up for future sustained success.

Releasing Tannehill could open up an opportunity for a younger quarterback (Malik Willis) to gain experience and potentially move the Titans into a position to draft their franchise guy next offseason if needed. Keeping him around could keep Tennessee more competitive for another season and allow the front office to build a winning roster immediately.

Whatever the direction taken, those decisions start with the quarterback.

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