Tennessee Titans on course for Will Levis U-turn after NFL Draft decision

25 August 2023 , 21:06

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Will Levis

The Tennessee Titans now look destined to give the back-up quarterback role to Malik Willis over Will Levis - despite selecting him with a high second-round pick in April.

That would see the Titans keep three quarterbacks on the roster for the first time under their current regime, with Ryan Tannehill set in stone as starter for the foreseeable future. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has not been a fan of carrying three players in the position on the roster, while wanting to use the spot elsewhere on the team.

However, a new rule means teams can carry a third quarterback on the gameday roster - effectively activating an extra player without using an extra gameday spot. Therefore, Tennessee would still have to name both Willis and Levis to their 53-man roster - or lose them as free agents.

The Titans invested a third-round pick in Willis last year, who has impressed throughout this preseason despite his struggles in his rookie year. And Willis has been given the full start in the Titans final preseason game with Levis not playing - almost ensuring Willis will be the back-up quarterback. Levis suffered an injury in practice earlier this week, with the injury not expected to keep him out of the regular season.

Levis has not been able to secure the back-up spot, with some streaky performances throughout preseason and conflicting reports from training camp. Although the third-choice quarterback, it is unlikely the Titans would even consider trading Levis - despite him clearly not being able to earn his coaches' trust just yet.

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Malik Willis has seemingly won the back-up spot over Levis

Levis was an extremely highly-rated prospect throughout his final two years in Kentucky, but shockingly fell out of the first round on draft night. The Titans had been a fan of Levis throughout the process, and showed that when they traded up in the second round to select him.

And while Levis looks to be a in a rough spot with the team at this point, this could be seen as a blessing in disguise for the 23-year-old. Tannehill has been a solid starter for the team, throwing 34 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his last 29 starts, but the Titans have seemingly been looking to move on from him in recent years as he enters his late-30s. He will continue to compete with Willis, an athletic quarterback who has struggled as a passer throughout his career in both college and in the NFL.

Charlie Wilson