Is Will Levis The Answer For Titans At QB?

Tennessee Titans sophomore quarterback Will Levis put forth a quality performance in Sunday's upset victory over the Houston Texans. The former Kentucky standout completed 18 of 24 passing attempts for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick-six interception. 

The Titans will continue evaluating Levis down the stretch of this season, but his current form indicates they'd be better off sticking with him and passing on any opportunity to select a QB in the 2025 NFL Draft.

In Levis' last three games, the occasionally frustrating quarterback has thrown for 748 yards and five touchdowns while completing 67% of his passing attempts. He did it against three top 10 defenses coached by Jim Harbaugh, Brian Flores, and DeMeco Ryans. The growth has been undeniable.

In true Levis fashion, though, it's been a rollercoaster. His pocket presence remains a weakness. Levis has been sacked 20 times since Week 10, including eight against the Texans on Sunday. His passer rating over that same span is 109.3, becoming the first QB since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger with a passer rating of 105-or-better in a three-game span while taking 20-plus sacks, according to NFL research.

Levis also threw his third pick-six of the season on Sunday, an error in judgment that swung momentum Houston's way. But Levis also generated explosive passing plays, hitting a 38-yard touchdown to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, a game-winning 70-yard TD to Chig Okonkwo (that mostly featured YAC) after the pick-six, and a 63-yard explosive bomb to Calvin Ridley on 3rd-and-long.

What Levis is doing now that he didn't do earlier in the campaign is hitting explosives that make the occasional mind-numbing mistake worth living with. Over the previous three contests, he's generated a league-leading 241 passing yards on 30-plus yard throws. Russell Wilson is the only quarterback within 100 yards.

The victory bumped the Titans down to No. 6 overall in the current 2025 NFL Draft order. While that could still offer the Titans an opportunity to draft one of Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, or Jalen Milroe, none of those options should particularly appeal to general manager Ran Carthon.

Ward threw another ill-advised interception on Saturday. His pro evaluation is complicated due to his hero-ball approach. Milroe played the worst game of his campaign, throwing three interceptions in a blowout defeat to Oklahoma. Perhaps Milroe will realize that the best thing for his development as a prospect would be to return to Alabama for another season under Kalen DeBoer.

Another season of Levis is becoming more appealing while replacing him with a questionable quarterback prospect is becoming less appealing, all in real time. Much like Bryce Young in Carolina, Levis is proving that second-year signal callers deserve more grace and patience before ultimately casting judgment. The Titans would be wise to continue developing their naturally gifted quarterback.

Levis' passer rating of 123.3 is the second-highest among Week 12 quarterbacks, trailing just Tua Tagovailoa. That's impressive considering he threw a pick-six and suffered eight sacks, many of which were his fault. Levis' 75% completion percentage was also tied for second-best, behind just Baker Mayfield.

Levis is currently hitting his second-year stride. The Titans should spend the offseason further investing in his development. Levis entering the 2025 season as Tennessee's starter is looking like the preferred outcome.