Ryan Tannehill could be more than a stopgap quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. The 31-year-old shot-caller could be their full-time starter, as the Titans, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN, are internally discussing a new deal for Tannehill in the offseason.

A new contract between the Titans and Tannehill would not be a franchise tag. It would be a deal to make him the starting quarterback of the present and future in Nashville.

The Titans gave Tannehill the starting job in Week 7, replacing the 2015 draft's No. 2 pick Marcus Mariota in the process. Since then, Tennessee is 5-1, in turn propping them back into the playoffs as they sit at 7-5 heading into their Week 14 matchup with the 6-6 Oakland Raiders.

Tannehill has been a revelation for the Titans. His 113.9 passer rating leads the NFL. He's gone 128 of 176 (72.7%) throwing for 1,602 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2019, while also recording three touchdowns and 128 yards on the ground.

Previously the No. 8 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, out of Texas A&M, Tannehill played with the Miami Dolphins for six seasons. The 2018 campaign was his last in Miami, as the Dolphins traded him and a sixth-round pick to Tennessee on March 15 in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2020 and a seventh-round selection in 2019.

Tannehill will be a free agent at the end of the 2019 season. Once an afterthought as a backup to Mariota, the veteran quarterback is thriving in Nashville. Subsequently, the Titans would like to keep him around, as he gives them the best chance to win.