Titans’ head coach Jeff Fisher told free agent-to-be Kerry Collins that if he re-signs with the team this offseason, he’ll be granted the starting quarterback job again.

When Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher broke the news to Kerry Collins last week that he was headed to the Pro Bowl, he also communicated directly to Collins that he indeed wants him back as his starting quarterback in 2009, a team source told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

Fisher had made public remarks that Collins deserved to be the starter based on his performance this season, but a source said his private reaffirmation thrilled Collins, who has said he will retire if he does not get a contract as a starting quarterback.

Collins, who was voted as a Pro Bowl alternate and replaces Brett Favre on the AFC roster, is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Though Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt has had some philosophical contract discussions with Collins’ representatives, there has been no real negotiations as of yet.

If a contract is completed for Collins, it means former first-round draft pick Vince Young will have to cope with the disappointment of losing his job to the veteran. A team source said Young has promised to have a good attitude and work ethic this offseason.

Collins deserves the starting gig with the way he performed last season but this is damning news to Young, who has fallen so far so fast.

What do you do with VY now? Make him sit for another year and hope his confidence grows on the sidelines? Use him in special formations? Trade him?

The Titans can’t trade him because it’s not like Collins is the long-term answer. But the good news is that if they re-sign Collins, they’ll once again have a solid veteran leading their offense next year and Young only counts for $2.16 million against the cap in 2009. But after next season, that number goes up to $7.5 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in 2011. You don’t want to be paying that kind of money to a quarterback riding the pine.