It’s Championship Weekend in the NFL but only four of the 32 teams in the league are celebrating. The rest of the pack, with the exclusion of this year’s playoff field, are desperately trying to figure out how they can join the party next season. For some teams this means hiring a new coaching staff, for the Tennessee Titans this means cutting their franchise running back.

Rumors have been swirling as to what the Titans plan on doing with Chris Johnson and the latest report from the Nashville Tennessean states that the team is expected to cut Johnson in the very near future.

The Titans have swung and missed on many running backs over the years they had big plans for, as those guys flamed out. At some point this offseason, the light is going to go out on Johnson’s days in Tennessee. In my opinion, it’s not a matter of if he’s released, but when.

For the sake of context, Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt wasn’t saying that Johnson flamed out, rather his column seemed to defend Johnson as being durable and competitive despite the statistical decline. Still, Wyatt, who is plugged in with the team, fully expects Johnson to be cut which means it’s likely going to happen.

That doesn’t mean it’s the right decision, as Wyatt seems to be very against the move despite reporting on it. Ken Whisenhunt and company may look to be a pass first team if they cut Johnson loose, and they have to hope Titans fans don’t bail on them in the process.