Getty Image / Wesley Hitt
When the Tennessee Titans used the first pick of the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Will Levis, the hope was that the team had found a franchise quarterback. Sure, Levis had some developing he still needed to do, but the tools were there for him to be a long-term answer in Tennessee.
But, as we approach the end of his second season in the NFL, it’s become clear that Will Levis simply isn’t the guy that is going to turn the Titans into a Super Bowl contender. After he was benched on Tuesday following a disastrous Week 15 performance, it’s time for Tennessee to move on.
Levis has struggled for most of the season when many expected him to take a step forward in his second year. But, in 11 games this year, Levis has thrown for just 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year while completing 64% of his passes. His QBR, while not a perfect metric, is a dreadful 30.2. Worse, he shows few signs of improvement, as he’s still making big mistakes on a weekly basis and killing his team with turnovers.
That was the case in their loss to the Bengals. Levis completed 8 of his 12 attempts, but he was intercepted three times in that small sample size, including a pick-six.
WILL LEVIS THROWS A PICK-SIX 😬
That’s his 3rd INT today 👀
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/OETkkBqldb— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 15, 2024
On Tuesday, they decided to go with veteran Mason Rudolph, likely for the remainder of the season. That’s not a move you make with the Titans well out of playoff contention if you think there’s any chance that you want to build around Will Levis. To me, that means that his time in Tennessee as the incumbent starter is essentially over.
Does that mean they should target someone in the draft with their top-ten pick? I’m not sure that’s the case, as it’s a pretty weak quarterback class and there should be a strong group next year. But, they need to start planning for a new franchise quarter, whomever that ends up being.