With the Ryan Tannehill era over in Tennessee, Will Levis is set to take on starting quarterback duties across a full campaign in 2024. The Titans have a pair of signal-callers behind him on the depth chart, but both could end up surviving roster cuts. 
Tennessee selected Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 draft, making him a member of a class which was not well regarded before or after the event. The 25-year-old made three starts as a rookie, but down the stretch it was clear he did not have the trust of Mike Vrabel‘s coaching staff. Last season, Willis made just three appearances and attempted five passes with Tannehill ultimately making way for Levis as QB1.
The Titans, to no surprise, have not re-signed Tannehill (who remains on the open market). The team did, however, bring in an experienced backup option in the form of Mason Rudolph. The ex-Steeler inked a one-year deal with a base value of $2.87MM to head to Nashville. Rudolph, 28, will spend training camp competing with Willis for the backup spot.
Regardless of how that battle turns out, though, all three passers could make the team’s initial 53-man roster. Team reporter Jim Wyatt writes the Titans could carry both Rudolph and Willis even if the latter loses out on the QB2 gig. Willis has two years remaining on his rookie contract and keeping him in the fold would allow him to continue developing under new head coach Brian Callahan. On the other hand, the Liberty alum’s underwhelming pro career to date could make him a relatively safe candidate to clear waivers at the end of the summer.
New rules allow teams to use an unlimited number of practice squad elevations for signal-callers to dress on gamedays as an emergency third quarterback. As a result, many NFL roster are expected to include only two passers on the 53-man roster at the start of the season. Plenty is yet to be determined, but the Titans could be on track to serve as an exception in that regard.
Does Malik Willis still qualify as a QB?
Only in Tennessee
If my team had an inexperienced starting QB who had a bad habit of playing like he’s trying to get himself hurt, I would certainly want a backup QB I felt better about having to step in than Rudolph or Willis.
I just don’t think Tennessee spends the way they did on their offense, if they weren’t reasonably sure Levis was going to continue to make strides. Their faith in his development has certainly raised my expectations for him this upcoming season. Money Talks.
We’ll see. Investing in offensive support after a QB’s first year doesn’t necessarily mean you should get your hopes up. The Bears went out and signed Allen Robinson and Trey Burton, drafted Cole Kmet, and traded up to draft Anthony Miller after Trubisky’s first year. But at least adding support makes it easier to get a fair evaluation.
Regardless of how good Levis is or isn’t (I could see him going either way), I do think right now his play style invites a LOT of hard hits, even beyond line issues, so I would at least be prepared for him to need relief. I would also want a young QB to have a sturdier veteran example in the room than Rudolph.
Levis has a high ceiling , but everyone knew he’s a guy who’s going to have to take a few years to develop.
No one thought he was a guy who was going to crush it in year 1.
He showed in his debut game that he can really sling in downfield.
Has a lot of other things he has to work on , but possesses the 2 of things you can’t teach : arm strength and height
All of that is true, but if you watch the guy, he plays like he’s not afraid of getting hurt to an unsustainable degree.
I’m just glad they added to the offensive line or it wouldn’t matter who’s back there.
3 = 0
If you have 3 affordable QBs and one gets injured you can still salvage the season. That probably isn’t the case if your $50MM per year QB is lost for a significant length of time.
With a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator who knows how good any of the three can be. Levis should be playing with a chip on his shoulder because of dropping out of the first round, Willis was obviously picked that high because they saw something in him and Rudolph has basically been made nothing but a scapegoat for poor offensive coordinators in Pittsburgh. They could do worse than hang on to all three and see who emerges as the starter. Brian Callahan is a pretty savvy offensive guy even though he didn’t call the plays in Cincinnati. Should be a good year for the Titans if they can all get on the same page.
A player like Willis needs a means/method to develop. The NFL should be working with the NFLPA to find a way to accomplish this. For example, you could exempt non-starters and practice squad players from the usual OTA/Training Camp rules so they can choose to get extra coaching/reps, and perhaps even participate in light scrimmages against similar players on other teams.