The Will Levis era has officially arrived as Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel named the rookie quarterback their Week 10 starter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While he has already started two games, he was initially seen as a placeholder for Ryan Tannehill.
Tannehill has been sidelined since their Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons due to the high-ankle sprain he suffered in London versus the Baltimore Ravens. It’s the same injury that forced the veteran play-caller to miss five games last season.
However, Levis passed his audition with flying colors by throwing 19 completions for 238 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in their victory over the Falcons. Four days later, he nearly led the Titans to a win versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Unfortunately, Kwon Alexander intercepted his pass intended for Josh Whyle in the end zone. Despite the defeat, the former Penn State and Kentucky standout had an impressive display with 22 completions for 262 yards. In two games, Levis has completed 60.3 percent of his throws for 500 yards.
The absolutely right and easy decision for @Titans to move forward with @will_levis as their starter.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 7, 2023
The things that looked like “flaws” in college you see growth in already#nfllive @DMRussini @TDavenport_NFL pic.twitter.com/W9ENl0OlsG
Getting the starting nod serves redemption for the quarterback who slid to the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Football fans and experts projected him to be the third quarterback selected after Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.
However, the Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick. With Levis sliding out of the first round, the Titans initiated a trade with the Arizona Cardinals. The NFC West squad gave up the 33rd overall pick (originally from the Houston Texans) and a 2023 third-rounder in exchange for Tennessee’s 2023 second and third-rounders. The Titans also gave up a 2024 third-round pick.
They used the 33rd pick for Levis, making him the second player drafted in round two after cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The gamble seems to be paying off with how things are going for Will Levis. Titans fans hope he can help bring massive success to the franchise, especially when they last won a playoff game in 2019.
-Lance Fernandez