Will Levis Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Reporter suggests Titans should start rookie QB Will Levis for the rest of the season

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/30/23

After a fantastic debut in Sunday's 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, it might be time for the Tennessee Titans to give rookie quarterback Will Levis the starting job.

"Again, the Titans have selected a QB within the first three rounds in each of the past two drafts. It's pretty clear [Ryan] Tannehill isn't in their 2024 plan," wrote ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano. "Regardless, Levis earned at least one more start, and who'd blame the Titans if they wanted to give him the rest of the season? It's the best their offense has looked all year."

Against Atlanta, the second-round pick out of Kentucky completed 19-of-29 passes for 238 yards and four TDs. Tannehill, meanwhile, has only thrown two TDs and six interceptions in six games.

WILL LEVIS IS THE TRUTH pic.twitter.com/bMTjvO3F6z
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 29, 2023

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Levis will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday if Tannehill (high ankle sprain) can't play. However, he didn't indicate the rookie will replace the 11-year veteran.

"Until Ryan is healthy, I'm not ready to make that determination," Vrabel said in a Monday news conference. "I think that is something that could be a possibility, but again, we're talking about hypotheticals. We'll get Ryan healthy and see where things are at then."

Tannehill, a former Pro Bowler, has a 38-23 record in five seasons with the Titans. Yet the 35-year-old is last in the league in QBR (32.8) and entering the final year of a four-year, $118M deal. He's not the answer.

Levis's potential is hard to ignore, as the 24-year-old has a strong arm and good size (6-foot-4, 229 pounds). It makes sense for Tennessee (3-4) to roll the dice on the young passer and see if he becomes the future of the franchise.

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