The main focus now is on building a more competitive structure that can support Levis’ development and help the team regain relevance in the conference. Along that line, beyond potential additions, it’s also crucial to carry out a roster cleanup.

With the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Titans have the opportunity to select a player that will make a difference in their rebuilding process. The possibility of selecting a new quarterback is open for Tennessee, and that pick could go to star wideout Cam Ward out of the University of Miami. In that sense, the roster changes are starting to show.

The two players released by the Titans

The Titans have decided to move on and parted ways by placing cornerback and special teams specialist Justin Hardee, along with edge rusher Khalid Duke, on waivers. Both players were given the “non-football injury” designation due to issues stemming from ailments not related to the sport.

This action by Tennessee is in response to both players’ injuries that did not occur during official team activities, and therefore the Titans are not obligated to pay their salaries while they are inactive.

Titans hope to do better in 2025

The selection of a star prospect like Ward in the draft has sparked speculation about Levis’ future within the organization. Whatever decision the Titans make will shape the team’s direction for the coming years. Additionally, other new faces have already joined during the offseason, such as veteran guard Kevin Zeitler and offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr.

According to recent statements by Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker in an interview with Jim Wyatt Sports, Levis’ future with the team appears to be sealed, with the young quarterback set to compete for a starting spot in the 2025 NFL season. Brinker also made it clear that no other team has shown interest in Levis.

“That’s a false report. We have not contacted anybody, and nobody has contacted us about Will Levis… The plan with Will Levis is that he has a chance to compete for a starting job next year, just like every player on our roster. It’s no different for Will,” Brinker stated.

Brinker was clear that Levis will likely start the preseason, and possibly the regular season, with the Titans. “I see him in our facility, he’s working hard. Everybody knows he’s a great kid, he’s a hard worker, and he’s going to give it everything he has. We’re going to continue to work with Will Levis.”

The 2024 disaster for Will Levis

Many had predicted that Will Levis would leave after the 2024 season, especially after his disappointing performance: just 13 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 2,091 yards—figures that were far from impressive. However, the Titans’ offense, ranked 27th out of 32 teams in the NFL, also struggled mightily last season.

Levis has been with the Titans for two years but has yet to prove himself as a strong quarterback for the team in dire need of one. His mistakes, including some viral ones, were heavily criticized, and the head coach was forced to address them in multiple press conferences, stating that he had spoken “strongly” with Levis about his issues.

Does Levis still have a contract with the Titans?

Yes, officially Levis still has a contract with the Titans through 2026. They still owe him a total of $5.6 million. In 2025, Levis is expected to earn a salary of $2.6 million, with a slight increase to just over $3 million in the final year of his 4-year contract, which is valued at $9.5 million.

On Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Titans are signing wide receiver Stanley Morgan to their practice squad. The sixth-year wideout played for the Bengals during Callahan’s five seasons in Cincinnati.

Before arriving in Tennessee, Callahan was the Bengals offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2023. The team signed Morgan as an undrafted free agent in Callahan’s first year with the franchise, and the Nebraska product went on to make 51 appearances in Cincinnati.

Morgan joined the New Orleans Saints in 2024 free agency but was released as part of the roster cuts in August. At 28, he’s getting a chance to revitalize his NFL career with a coach who knows him very well.

Without much prominence on Burrow‘s offense, Morgan has been more of a special teams player for the Bengals. We’ll have to wait and see whether that continues to be the case in Tennessee, or if he proves to be a useful target for Levis.

Callahan optimistic about Levis’ evolution in Tennessee

Even though the Titans won just one of their last three games, Levis has shown a significant improvement since coming back from a shoulder injury. His future as the Titans’ starter remains uncertain, but Callahan made sure to praise the quarterback for his recent progress.

“I hesitate to make any proclamations or anything like that,” Callahan said when asked about Levis’ future as QB1. “But I’ve just been really happy with the way Will has progressed. He’s played winning football from that position, really over the last three weeks, and I’d like to see it continue.“

Callahan believes Levis can do even better

Last time out, Levis helped the Titans pick up a hard-fought win over the Houston Texans on the road by going 18-of-24 for 278 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.

“I think everything he’s done. The progression he’s shown, the growth he’s shown is really encouraging,” Callahan added. “I’d like to keep it going, I think there’s another level we can get to and unlock for him.”

Callahan got to work with a top quarterback in Burrow in Cincinnati, and while Levis has yet to convince the rest of the NFL, the Titans quarterback is showing signs of his potential. Only time will tell us whether he becomes their long-term signal-caller.

While fans celebrated the win, the main concern shifted to two injured players. One of them is Lloyd Cushenberry, who will be sidelined due to a torn Achilles. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport confirmed on Monday that the center will miss the rest of the season.

Cushenberry had been instrumental, communicating plays to Mason Rudolph and previously to Levis, who has been out since Week 5 but may return soon, as he’s listed as questionable for Week 9. Unfortunately, more setbacks were announced for head coach Brian Callahan’s squad.

Defensive standout Quandre Diggs also sustained an injury, hurting his left foot and exiting the game early. Although the Titans has not confirmed how long he will be out, Diggs was having a standout season, with 42 total tackles, 35 of them solo, and 13 passes defended.

Other injured Titans players

Alongside Diggs and Cushenberry, several other Titans players are recovering from injuries. Among them is Levis, who was marked as questionable for the Patriots game but joined the squad on Sunday and may be nearing a return.

According to the Week 9 injury report, Dillon Radunz, Andrew Rupcich, L’Jarius Sneed, Tre Avery, and Tyjae Spears did not play against the Patriots. However, Amari Hooker and Tony Pollard managed limited action despite their injuries.

Callahan remains optimistic

With a 2-6 record in the AFC South, head coach Brian Callahan expressed his appreciation for the team’s effort, despite the injury news: “We finally got into a position where our team’s hard work paid off. It was really great to see, and I’m proud of the guys for their effort in the locker room.”

Callahan continued, “We played hard and well enough to give ourselves a chance to win. The game was a little longer than expected with an extra quarter of football, but I couldn’t be prouder of how hard those guys fought.”

What’s next for the Titans?

Following the victory, the Titans must capitalize on their upcoming games to keep postseason hopes alive. Their next challenge will be a critical matchup against the Chargers.

Full calendar for the Titans:

• Week 10 – Los Angeles Chargers – November 11
• Week 11 – Minnesota Vikings – November 17
• Week 12 – Houston Texans – November 24
• Week 13 – Washington Commanders – December 1
• Week 14 – Jacksonville Jaguars – December 8

The extent of Levis’ injury has yet to be confirmed, as Callahan suggested after the game against the Dolphins. But the Titans head coach, apart from telling the press what happened to his QB, also sent a clear message about Levis’ future.

Rudolph’s solid performance on Monday Night Football, in which he recorded 85 passing yards, opened the debate about who should start for the next games of the 2024 NFL season. It was supposed to be difficult for the Titans HC to choose between the players, but now it seems clear what he’s going to do when Levis recovers.

“He’s our quarterback. It was not a decision based on anything other than his health and protecting him… he’s our starter and when he’s healthy, we are ready to roll with him,” Callahan said about Levis, via The Tennessean.

Callahan awaits Levis’ recovery time

Shanahan also shed more light into Levis’ recovery time, revealing the Titans expect their starting quarterback to return this season: “I don’t think it is a season-ending injury, and we are waiting to the MRI and all that gets done.”

Keeping in mind that the bye was close, the Titans made a precautionary stuff in the game for Levis because he tried to go back into the field. But they decided to leave him out, in order to see what certainly happened to No. 8.

Callahan knows that with him, they can make it through the next round, even though he can trust on Rudolph’s performance to get victories in the next weeks that Levis will not be playing.

What’s next for the Tennesse Titans?

• Week 5 – Bye
• vs. Colts, Week 6
• vs. Bills, Week 7
• vs. Lions, Week 8
• vs. Patriots, Week 9

Unfortunately, during the game against the Miami Dolphins, Levis suffered a shoulder injury while diving for a first down. He was taken to the medical tent for evaluation, which led Callahan to make the decision to bring in Rudolph.

According to Callahan, Rudolph was brought in due to Levis’ injury, not because of poor performance. It’s worth noting that Levis did throw an interception during the game, something that’s been a recurring issue for him in the 2024 NFL season.

However, Levis won’t be replaced as the starter. Callahan confirmed that Levis will remain the starter as long as he’s healthy. With the Titans on a bye in Week 5, Levis could have time to recover, depending on the results of the MRI.

Mason Rudolph vs. the Dolphins

Though Rudolph didn’t throw any touchdowns, his performance was solid, going 9-of-17 with 85 passing yards, and he was sacked only once in the Titans’ victory, where they kept scoring after the second quarter.

Will Levis in the 2024 NFL season

On the other hand, Levis has struggled this season with the Titans. He has thrown 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions for just 604 yards, ranking among the league’s worst in that category so far this season.

Will Levis stated that he’s been making improvements heading into Week 3 and beyond, focusing on better ball security, especially in scoring positions where turnovers can be particularly damaging.

“Situational football and knowing when you need to be careful with the ball. You know, when you’re in scoring position and it’s third down, making a throw that won’t even get you the first down — you have to let that click in your brain faster,” Levis explained.

The Titans quarterback emphasized that it’s not just about watching film and analyzing coverages for each play, but also about “…adding that extra layer as a quarterback, thinking about the best and smartest decision for the situation. What do you need to keep in mind that can help your team and protect the ball?”

Will Levis in the First Two Weeks

Levis has thrown one touchdown in each of the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, but also three interceptions. His passing yards have steadily increased, from 127 in Week 1 to 192 in Week 2. However, he has yet to secure a win.

It’s worth noting that during the game against the New York Jets, Levis made a couple of critical errors that drew the frustration of Titans head coach Brian Callahan. The incident was captured on video and heavily criticized, but Levis later clarified that there are no issues between him and the coach.

Levis was already aware that Brian Callahan wasn’t typically someone who yelled at players, but according to the quarterback, there are situations where the coach can raise his voice, and Levis knew he had to learn from those moments.

“He told us straight off, he’s not a yeller and screamer, but he can be, and there’s certain situations that allow for that, and that definitely was one of those situations,” Levis said. “I didn’t bat an eye at it. I took the coaching.”

Despite the harsh words, Levis clarified that everything remained normal between the two, adding that Callahan continued to trust him throughout the game. The quarterback wasn’t bothered by the coach’s reaction.

“I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me. I know it’s an emotional response that we all have after things like that. We were right back to it, and he had confidence in me on the next play, taking that shot. That was cool to feel, coming back on the field after that turnover, even though we had another one after that. I don’t have any problem with how he handled himself.”

Will Levis in the First Two Weeks

This is Levis’ second season with the Titans. In Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, Levis and the Titans lost to the Chicago Bears 17-24, and they repeated the result in Week 2 against the New York Jets, but this time at home. Week 3 will also be at home against the Green Bay Packers.

It’s worth noting that Levis didn’t have a great 2023 season, managing just three wins out of the nine games he played. In his first two weeks of last season, he had one win and one loss.

In the video, head coach Brian Callahan is visibly frustrated after a play that resulted in a turnover for the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter with 8:37 remaining. Following the series, Callahan stormed onto the field and delivered a stern verbal reprimand to Will Levis, which was clearly readable from the coach’s lips.

It’s worth noting that Will Levis is not a rookie; he has been with the Titans since the 2023 season, where he started nine games and finished with a 3-6-0 record. His second game of the 2024 season also ended poorly, as he threw two interceptions in Week 1 and one in Week 2.

Brian Callahan made it clear to his quarterback that the play was unacceptable, though Levis might have scored a touchdown had he not tripped. If Callahan decides to make a change for Week 3, his only option would be Mason Rudolph.

The Play That Could Have Helped the Titans

The video of the play shows that everyone was doing their job well; the offensive line was solid, giving Levis time to throw, and even if he missed a potential touchdown pass, they still had the option of a three-point field goal. However, things didn’t go as planned when the quarterback chose to rush for the touchdown instead.

Levis’ Troubling Numbers After Two Weeks

In Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, Will Levis struggled, throwing just one touchdown and two interceptions in a 17-24 loss to the Chicago Bears. He finished the game with only 127 passing yards and completed 19 of 32 passes.

In Week 2, despite a costly play that hurt the Titans, Levis’ performance improved slightly. He threw for one touchdown and one interception, completing 19 of 28 passes for 192 yards. It’s apparent that he plays somewhat better at home than on the road.

As for any current NFL quarterback not named Patrick Mahomes, being compared with Tom Brady is belittling. Belichick addressed Will Levis’ terrible play on Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Bears, in comparison to Brady’s plays during his Patriots days.

Levis finished the day with 127 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The University of Kentucky prospect made one of the most viral plays of the day, but for the wrong reasons. Levis threw the game-winning pick six for Chicago on a play that the team would probably want back. The Titans QB tried to play ‘hero-ball’ on a throw towards the sidelines and gifted the Bears the win. It is worth be noted Caleb Williams and the offense had under 100 air yards and scored no points.

“Tom and I have talked a million times about if you complete this pass what’s the upside… your guys are going to get tackled anyway, like the play we just saw in Tennessee. I mean what if he had completed that, what’s the upside, two yards? What’s the downside, lose the game. You just can’t make those kinds of decisions, and even if that ball is incomplete there’s no upside to it.”

Belichick explains what makes Brady so great

“I think when you look at a player like Brady of all the great plays that he made, the thing that Brady didn’t do, he didn’t have very many plays like Levis had yesterday, where he just you know gives the game away or makes a bad decision for the team,” Belichick said on The Pat McAfee Show. “You know Tom always protected the team, and even if it wasn’t a great play, at least it wasn’t a bad play.“

It seems unnecessary to remind anybody that Will Levis is not Tom Brady. The comparison between both quarterbacks is far-fetched, yet it goes to show the difference between all-time greats and any starting quarterback is also on display on tiny details that can turn preposterous. Not only in their accolades.

Levis addresses his costly mistake

The critics on Levis are harsh for his gruesome error, and rightfully so. Yet it is obvious Levis is the first one to note that was an awful decision and will learn from it. The NFL season has just began and the Titans have time to bounce back. Though, Sunday at Soldier Field looked as the perfect opportunity to take advantage of an inexperienced Bears offense that put the Titans defense in no hurry all game long.

“Bonehead play,” Levis said post game. “Just recency bias from getting away with it the last time I did in the game. Just trying to throw it in the dirt, and when you’re getting taken down, you don’t know what’s going to happen with the ball when it comes out. Was really just trying to dirt it. Might be one of those times to just take the sack. So one thing of a lot of the things that I can learn from this game.”

The Titans jumped into a 17-0 lead in the first half. Newest NFL sensation Caleb Williams and the brand new Bears attack were shutout. The Bears were able to put points in the board thanks to their special teams with a field-goal in the dying seconds of the second quarter. It seemed there was no way the Bears could dig themselves out of the hole with the way the Titans defense was playing.

Tennessee’s offense had to take care of the football and the defense would do the rest. And that is exactly what Levis and the offense did not do. The Bears did not score a single offensive TD, yet walked away victorious. Thanks to a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and a pick-six on an unnecessary effort from Levis.

“If we’d just punted on 1st and 10 every time, we might’ve won the game,” Callahan said post game, via AtoZ Sports Nashville.

Callahan went on to compare Levis learning process in the NFL with parenting. “Sometimes they do exactly how you want them to, and sometimes you told them a hundred times and they still do it that way. We gotta keep hammering the same point. To me that is a lot of what coaching is.”

Callahan compares Levis to Joe Burrow’s first years in Cincinnati

Callahan was hired as the Bengals offensive coordinator in 2019 and has stayed there up until this past offseason. The Titans head coach was the offensive mastermind through Joe Burrow’s career and his evolution has granted him the status to become an NFL head coach in Tennessee. So when he addressed Levis’ play, Callahan had his recent experience with Burrow’s entrance to the league fresh off the top of his head.

“It was very similar,” Callahan admitted. “He’d hold the ball, take unnecessary risks, took a lot of hits early in his career in his first two years. He learned very quickly that that’s not a sustainable way to play football and if you wanna be available to our team on gamedays you gotta start making better decisions.“

Of course Callahan, as well as the Titans organization are well aware that Burrow and Levis are not cut from the same cloth. However, the Titans head coach insisted on the fact this was Levis’ tenth start on his NFL career so there is still room for improvement.

Nevertheless, arguing that punting on 1st and 10 on every possession gives a team a better chance to win than their starting quarterback is not exactly what any player ever wants to hear from their head coach.

New star WR backed Levis

Calvin Ridley is one of the top acquisitions in the Titans roster. After an irregular season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ridley arrived at a new AFC South team and is set to be the team’s WR1. His week 1 performance was not close to what is expected from the Alabama prospect. Although he led the team in receiving putting up 50yds in the loss to the Bears.

“I thought he was doing a great job,” Ridley said of Levis. “We lost as a team today and we all weren’t good enough. Period. He’s a tough a player. He’s a very good player. I love how he played the game today. We lost as a whole today. We should have won the game. That’s all I can tell you. We should have won the game.”