10:02pm: Tennessee’s Levis plan is at least on hold; a quarterback switch will happen this week. Levis will head to the bench for Week 16, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. It would stand to reason Rudolph is moving up the depth chart; he is the only other QB on the Titans’ 53-man roster. It will indeed be Rudolph in Week 16, Callahan confirmed, doing so while indicating he was not ready to make post-2024 proclamations regarding Levis.
Still, this could mark a significant change for the Titans, who had themed their offseason around adding pieces to maximize Levis. The 2023 second-round pick has not taken a noticeable step forward, and the team will sit him down — perhaps to close out the season. If a three-game benching commences, it would certainly be worth monitoring if the Titans will be aggressive to add a starter-caliber option in 2025. Given the events of this season, such a push seems likely.
8:57am: The Titans have remained steadfast in their support of Will Levis this season, but that stance may shift over the waning stages of the season. Head coach Brian Callahan said (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport) the team is contemplating a change under center. 
Levis entered the 2024 campaign as Tennessee’s undisputed starter, and a central storyline for the team was his development during first full season atop the depth chart. Callahan’s first head coaching gig likewise came with the mandate of guiding the 25-year-old while the organization evaluated his potential as a franchise passer. Levis dealt with an AC joint sprain in October, but before and after that injury he has not lived up to expectations.
The 2023 second-round pick has struggled with turnovers throughout the campaign, and that trend continued on Sunday. During the third quarter of the Titans’ Week 15 loss, Levis was benched after throwing three interceptions. That brought his total on the season to 12 (matching his number of touchdown passes) in 11 games. Mason Rudolph finished the contest, and Callahan’s comments leave the door open to Rudolph starting in Week 16. The former Steeler made three starts while Levis was sidelined earlier in the year.
The team made it clear at that time, however, that Levis would reclaim the No. 1 spot when he was healthy. Indeed, the Penn State and Kentucky product took over in Week 10 and has started every contest since. If the Titans were to make a change, though, it would represent a strong signal Levis will be replaced atop the depth chart by a new passer this offseason. Sitting at 3-11 on the year, the Titans are in contention to land the top pick in April’s draft, something which would give them the opportunity to reset under center.
Rudolph saw his lengthy tenure with Pittsburgh come to an end this offseason, and he took a one-year deal with Tennessee. A run of starts would provide him with the opportunity to boost his 2025 free agent stock; it would also, of course, point further to Levis’ run as a QB1 option coming to an end. Two more years remain on his rookie contract, but it very much remains to be seen how the Titans will proceed at the position during that span.
Man might be a lot of teams in need for a QB. Could Titans skip the draft class and try to seduce Darnold to Tennessee for a couple years? So many storylines ….
I could see that, although I actually don’t think there are as many teams in need of a QB as you purport.
Raider, Giants, and Titans for sure. Jets and Saints will probably go the draft/develop route, and th Browns could be a wild card.
Otherwise, though, it appears to me that every other team is either financially committed to someone or has a young quarterback
More than 5 teams in search of a franchise or bridge guy is kind of a lot in nfl context
Also a silly thought but would Seahawks move off of Geno and try to lure Darnold? There are reports of a potential sweepstakes to obtain Darnold leading into free agency. Saints might move off of Carr too. That’s maybe 5-8 teams who are looking for a QB including the draft class
I don’t really see the benefit to that if I’m the Seahawks. At least to me, the difference between Darnold and Geno is negligible, Darnold might end up being more expensive, and Geno actually has familiarity with the offense
True that. I’m just spitballing
Saints movong on from Carr isn’t really an option. A dead cap charge of $51M if they cut him, which is about the same as his salary if you count the roster bonus of $10M in March. He has a no trade clause,so that would only save them about $10M anyway. If they found a taker…
I think you have a good list of six teams there, and people really don’t love this quarterback class. Allar is going back to school. I’m guessing Ewers will transfer somewhere rather than go pro. Milroe could stay in school too. So even once you get past the two quarterbacks people like the most, even the dicier developmental guys with potential might be slim pickings.
Agreed very slim pickings for QB, pretty decent TE class though. Sanders and Ward are the top prospects. I can’t see Ewers transferring to another spot I think it would hurt him. Gabriel could fall to day 3 I have no clue his draft stock
Ewers ain’t starting for Texas next year ahead of Arch and he’s not going in the top two rounds of the draft, so he might as well make NIL money and try to go somewhere that will give him a chance to boost his stock next year like Ward did.
That’s a good point. Maybe a team like Clemson or Penn St
Allar is going back to Penn State, but Ewers could be Oregon or Miami’s next rental.
Allar went back likely staying at Penn St I think.
Ewers maybe to Bama.
Maybe if Milroe comes out, but I’m not positive he will at this point.
So it’s official Allar is going back? Ewers to Florida state would be something too
Allar has publicly said so, yes.
Whoops I didn’t know
It was only yesterday. You’re not so late to the news.
Fair enough lol
About time. Watching Levis is not good for my health lol.
‘Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said, “I believe that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations”.’
One of the best quotes I’ve heard in a long time. Trevor, Young, Caleb, and many many more top 5 picks are considered busts. Time to evaluate the franchises instead.
Most teams throw QBs into the fire too early and give them the hook too soon.
Too soon on Caleb?
I’m not calling Caleb out. But during his rookie season, he had 3 OCs! That’s astonishing negligence from the franchise. How is he, or any rookie, supposed to succeed in that environment? Did the Bears do Fields any favor? It’s another high pick set up to fail by the team.
Fields wasn’t going to be developed by even the ghost of George Halas. Some QBs just aren’t going to make it as NFL starters. Trubisky either.
I have no problem with that assessment. But it goes to show that they are a terribly run franchise. Who scouted Mitch and Justin, Da Bears.
They vaulted up a passing game coach, to OC, then to HC in weeks? And they wonder why they lose every single year.
Might as well keep him in and see if he can put you in a spot to draft his replacement. This is his first full year as an NFL starter, have to deal with the mistakes.
Watching Levis this year, I have a couple of thoughts:
1. Putting in Rudolph is necessary. Levis is a wildcard under center right now, and he’s not improving. The players are losing heart or have lost in game, and their effort on the field reflects that. I don’t think that they hate Levis, but in game, the turnovers are getting to them. The run game still is productive in many of these games, and the number of vets on this team means that they want to at least to see some success for their efforts.
2. Levis is way too in his own head right now. He has tremendous potential, both in throwing ability and movement ability, and appears to be committed to his team. However, he is obviously trying way too hard on the field and committing costly turnovers and mistakes. When he follows the script, he plays much better. When takes what the defense gives him in small plays, he plays much better. He has gone beyond the “try to make a play” mentality at this point, however. He’s firing wildly (as he did on his third interception on Sunday) and playing with total desperation. He just can’t get over his mistakes because he’s too shaken. That’s how it looks watching him.
Levis needs to sit; if nothing else, he needs to get his head settled and learn from watching a veteran while being counseled by his coach. A fresh start is necessary. That either be with the Titans next year after sitting out, or with another team. In any case, continuing to start Levis will put him deeper into the hole that he’s in, as well as Tennessee. He’s just feeling the pressure too much, which probably is a mixed effect both of his struggles this year and the overall struggle and dysfunction last year.
3. Callahan seems to be very patient and invested to coaching up Levis, which is exactly what you want from a coach. He got a few good vets to help in this endeavor, and though he’s obviously been extremely frustrated visibly with Levis’ mistakes, he’s also seemed to be dedicated to changing them. That said, the team does need some more pieces. Latham was getting handled by Hendrickson on Sunday, and though Hendrickson could arguably be the best pass rusher in the league, it still really hampered Levis’ already spotty pocket presence. The line is up and down right now, and its work overall hasn’t been good enough to compensate for a jittery quarterback. Rudolph too felt the pressure back there, and threw a pick of his own before settling in.
Callahan can compensate some for that by calling more rollouts, quick hitters, and such plays, but they’re going to need pieces. Latham will need time to develop, but more help up front is going to only boost their chances. There don’t look to be any sure things at QB this year; Tennessee might consider shooting for Campbell or Texas’ tackle (who looks more like a guard size-wise) this year to help whatever QB ends up earning the franchise role.
Even if Callahan can sort out the QB problem and get the team on the right track, I’m thinking Amy Skunk will eventually find a way to sabotage the effort with her meddling.
I thought Rudolph got a bad deal here in Pittsburgh. Was shunned by the prima donna HoF QB who took his drafting as a personal affront and was woefully unprepared when injury made his starting the only option
Then it became something out of a movie as he was continually told he’d be given a chance, only to sit the pine behind a bust 1st round pick and another who never showed much as a starter in other towns and kept his mouth shut, worked hard and waited. Finally given his chance, he leads the Steelers to great finish and watches as the team brings in two vets in the off season, as if his stretch run never happened
I root for the kid but i don’t know that he’ll ever be “the answer”
I agree wholeheartedly with that assessment.
If you’re gonna throw a young QB into the fire then you should practice patience. Jags did it with Bo Callahan!
If Mason Rudolph is the answer, then you need to ask a better question.
“young QB trying to force things to make plays for team”
Levis just needs to learn to take what the defense gives him sometimes.
But strong arm QBs usually try to fastball a throw between 3 defenders. Usually works in college but not the NFL. Its a lesson they learn the hard way.
I dont see his issues as completely unfixable but he’s gotta learn to take what the defense gives you sometimes and its ok to punt it rather than throw a pick. Live another down.
But that comes from film review, experience, and a coaching staff having their young qb practice such during practice. Check downs are ok.
About 15 weeks overdue, but ok.
Levis is not all that coachable. He is what he is because he is self absorbed. Practically, he cannot read coverages and is inconsistent with his accuracy. Which is the same story with him from college to today.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Quarterback !!
I picked up the Colts defense hoping old reliable Will Levis would win me the Semifinal.
So this is both disappointing to me and probably wise for Tennessee