Jury is still out on Levis. Ride forward or look toward draft?
In a thrilling win, the Tennessee Titans took down the Houston Texans 32-27, with second-year quarterback Will Levis flashing moments of brilliance. Sure, this wasn’t a “Tom Brady in the playoffs” level of brilliance, but it was enough to make Titans fans sit up and think, “Wait, could this guy actually be the one?”
Levis was efficient, completing 18 of 24 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard bomb to Chig Okonkwo to get the Titans the go-ahead score. It was the kind of performance that reminds you Will Levis has the physical talent to perform at a productive level, but is it something that can be sustained and expected on a regular basis?
The Case for Levis: Why Not Keep Rolling the Dice?
Levis has been the definition of “high-risk, high-reward” this season. He can throw a 98-yard touchdown (as he did against the Vikings in Week 11) but also has a knack for reminding us why at one point he led the league in turnovers. And while he has cut down on turnovers, he was still sacked seven times in the first half against the Texans. Of course, a majority of that blame needs to be attributed to the offensive line.
If you squint hard enough, Levis looks like a potential NFL franchise QB: big arm, fearless attitude, and toughness. Head coach Brian Callahan even praised his growth, saying, “There’s been some positive developments.” Sure, Callahan’s tone might have sounded like someone describing their kid’s macaroni art, but hey, it’s progress!
The 2025 Draft Temptation: Generational QBs?
Here’s where things get spicy. What are the Titans going to do in the 2025 draft? Does this performance give Levis some equity to continue leading this Tennessee offense? Or do the Titans go after any of the following QBs in the draft?
- Shedeur Sanders – Colorado
- Cam Ward – Miami
- Jalen Milroe – Alabama
- Carson Beck – Georgia
- Garrett Nussmeier – LSU
If the Titans end up with a high draft pick, the temptation to snag one of these quarterbacks will be immense. Drafting a QB is sexy and is often what the fans want, but I am not so convinced there is a Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Joe Burrow in this list.
The Bigger Picture: QB or Building Blocks?
Everyone knows drafting a QB is not an immediate fix. Titans fans know that all too well (Jack Locker or Marcus Mariota, anyone?). The real question might be whether the Titans should double down on Levis and instead use a high draft pick to address glaring needs elsewhere.
The offensive line, for instance, still remains one of the worst in the league despite the drafting of JC Latham and Peter Skoronski the past two years. Pro Football Network has them listed as the 31st offensive line only ahead of New England. Wide receiver? Outside of Calvin Ridley, the group is thinner than a lot of my friends’ hairlines. If the Titans truly believe in Levis, giving him a functional O-line and a few more weapons might be the smarter move.
So, What’s the Call?
Levis’s performance against the Texans was a step in the right direction, but the jury is still out. Titans fans have been burned before (looking at you, Vince Young), so it’s understandable to feel cautious. Is Levis good enough to pass on a shiny new quarterback in the draft? Or should the Titans roll the dice and risk setting back their rebuild if he doesn’t pan out?
For now, it’s a waiting game. But one thing’s for sure: Will Levis has at least made things interesting. And in a season where the Titans have mostly been background noise in the AFC, that’s a win in itself.