Tyler's Take: Next 3 Games Will Decide Titans' Fate in 2023, Mike Vrabel Must Play the QB He Believes In

The Tennessee Titans cannot allow politics to influence their decision at quarterback with Ryan Tannehill injured and likely out for at least the Week 8 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, but there is a chance he is out much longer.

Tannehill returning in Week 9 would be the most optimistic possible return in a 2-6 week recovery timeline. Odds are higher he misses close to a month and if that is the case, would miss the next three games.

That's unfortunate for the Titans because these next three games are likely the crossroads of their season. Coming out of the bye, the Titans will have three winnable games against teams they were expected to be better than before the season, even amongst those with little faith in the Titans.

Why are these three games so important though? The Titans must find a way to get back in the division race before heading into the back half of the season where their remaining five divisional games are. The AFC South is running away from them.

However, if the Titans were able to win their final five divisional games, they would only be 7-10 at the end of the year. They still wouldn't win the division or make the playoffs.

Imagine though, if the Titans could win these next three games. They would head into a home game against Jacksonville at 5-4 with a home game against the reeling Carolina Panthers set for the very next week.

It's a stretch of games that could have them at 7-4 after 12 weeks and perfectly suited to make a late-season run for the division or a playoff spot. These next three games for the Titans are winnable and critical to that path back to contention.

While there are many problems and potential issues with that plan, the biggest is quarterback. As mentioned above, Tannehill is likely to miss those three games, forcing a young quarterback into the spotlight.

Will it be second-year Malik Willis or rookie Will Levis? We can't know and the Titans aren't saying any time soon, but regardless of who it is, it better be who Mike Vrabel truly trusts. Again, they cannot let politics get in the way.

So far this season Malik Willis has been the backup quarterback, so that should mean he would obviously get the opportunity with Tannehill out, but a lot of folks out there say Levis is clearly the best option.

If that is true, why has Vrabel willingly had the better option inactive every game this year? Is it born out of some old-school thinking where you want the rookie to truly "earn it" because if that is the case, the Titans would be fools to allow that to influence their lineup decisions.

Holding the better player out of the backup spot and then out of the starter spot to make some sort of point to the locker room is actually more detrimental to the team than just anointing the better player.

On the flip side, if Willis, who has beaten out Levis at every step of the year from summer camp to training camp to preseason to the backup job, is truly the better player, the Titans can't let the pressure of Levis' draft pick force them to play the rookie.

While the trade up and selection of Levis would look like a mistake, if Willis is truly the better player, the pressure of getting that pick wrong can't prevent the Titans from playing the better player.

This coming stretch of games is too important to the season and the locker room to risk it playing to any political factors. Vrabel has always sold the idea that the best player will play regardless of circumstance. The Titans need that to be true now.

Related stories on Titans-Ravens

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BOLD TRADE PREDICTIONS: Tennessee Titans fans are demanding change as the NFL trade deadline approaches in a few weeks. AllTitans.com writers Tom Brew and Tyler Rowland make some bold predictions on trade options — and a lot of fans may not like it. CLICK HERE
LEVIS 'MORE COMFORTABLE': Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis has had an uneventful start to his NFL career, but now with Ryan Tannehill injured, Levis may get an opportunity to come out of the shadows. If he does, Mike Vrabel says you'll see a more comfortable player than the preseason. CLICK HERE
THREE TITANS TRADES: The Tennessee Titans sit at 2-4 on the year with an injured starting quarterback, so it may be time to consider being sellers. Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger thinks the Titans should be trading three current starters for future picks. CLICK HERE

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