Tennessee Titans Name Will Levis Starting Quarterback

The Tennessee Titans are ready to embrace their future. Head coach Mike Vrabel declared rookie second-round pick Will Levis the starting quarterback going forward, effectively ending Ryan Tannehill's five-year run as the Titans' QB1.

Rookie @will_levis named as #Titans starting quarterback by HC Mike Vrabel.

STORY https://t.co/k3uMbzqQtf pic.twitter.com/r1veelOv9B
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 7, 2023

Tannehill has been unavailable since injuring his ankle in a 24-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, but his play this season would have eventually called into question his future with the Titans, anyway. Over six starts this season, the 2019 Pro Bowler totalled six interceptions while averaging a mere 188.0 passing yards per game.

Levis being named starter likely closes Tannehill's tenure with the Titans, and it may also spell the end for quarterback Malik Willis. The 2022 third-round pick has been abysmal in spot relief over 11 appearances, netting a minuscule 3.39 net yards per passing attempt while throwing an interception on an untenable 4.5% of his passes. Evidently, the Titans have seen enough.

Coming off their first losing season since 2015 and already sitting on a 3-5 record through eight games, it makes sense for the Titans to focus their attention on the future. Levis, the 33rd overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, has played well in his first two starts, compiling 500 passing yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in one win and one loss. Not only may Levis offer the Titans their best chance at winning games, but evaluating him over the back half of the season will give the Titans a better idea of where their franchise is heading.