When the Tennessee Titans take the field for the final game of the regular season in Week 18, it will almost certainly be the last contest quarterback Ryan Tannehill plays in the two-tone blue.
It was always thought that Tannehill would play his final season with the Titans this year, but that fate was sealed once Tennessee drafted Will Levis, who went on to take the starting job from Tannehill while he was injured.
But before Tannehill heads out the door, he’ll likely get one more start, as Levis looks set to sit out in Week 18 due to a foot injury.
When asked about possibly getting the start on Sunday, Tannehill gave an answer that made it clear he doesn’t expect to be here next season.
“I spent five years of my life here in this organization,” Tannehill said, per Jim Wyatt. “A lot of great people. I would love to be able to leave it on a win.”
When asked to clarify what he meant with the last sentence, Tannehill replied, “The season. My time here. The season.”
Tannehill went on to say he realizes this could be it for him in Tennessee but said he isn’t focused on looking at the past but rather on being ready to start the final game of the season.
“Having the chance of playing helps me stay focused,” Tannehill said. “I’m sure if I was just kind of sitting around I’d have a little more time. But having the chance to play, keeping my focus on that, I’m trying to prepare myself if need be to be ready to go.”
“(But) I definitely realize that (this could be it) and have the thoughts. I don’t fully sit and reflect on the last five years at this time. The time will come, and I’ll definitely do that. But right now, I think I’d be letting down my teammates by letting too much thought into that and not preparing myself to go play.”
This isn’t the first time Tannehill has spoken like a guy who knows he’s on his way out.
After the Week 17 game in which he took five sacks, the veteran signal-caller was brutally honest about the pass protection, admitting there were plays where he had no chance.
He also compared himself to “John Wick at the end of the movie,” a reference to how battered and bruised he’s been over the years due to protection issues that have regularly plagued the offensive line.
Those are things Tannehill would’ve never said if he thought there was any chance he’d stick around.
While there were playoff disappointments during Tannehill’s tenure, he did do a lot for this franchise over his five seasons. He deserves a warm send-off from the home crowd — and I think he’ll get it.
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