All Eyes On Quarterbacks As Titans Begin OTA's

The Tennessee Titans begin organized team activities this week at St. Thomas Sports Park, and all eyes will be on the quarterbacks on Tuesday when the media is allowed to attend practice.

Photo Used By Permission of: Terry McCormick/TitansInsider

NASHVILLE - It's not breaking news, or even a little bit of a surprise that when the Tennessee Titans kick off their organized team activities this week, all eyes will be focused on the team's three quarterbacks. 

Ryan Tannehill is the returning- starter and, from injury- quarterback. He will be challenged by second-year pro and his backup a season ago, Malik Willis, who rookie Will Levis will challenge.   

While Tannehill is a professional in every aspect, when we last saw him at the podium, it seemed apparent, though unspoken, that he was unsettled about his current situation and future here in Nashville. After all, this is the second consecutive season the Titans have selected a quarterback in the first three rounds to compete and possibly replace him. 

When Levis took his turn at the podium during the rookie minicamp, he shared that Tannehill had reached out to him after his selection in the draft. There should be no tension amongst these three players, but competition is another thing.   

Willis hasn't spoken publicly since the addition of Levis to the roster. Still, in an article from The Tennessean earlier this year, his personal quarterback coach clarified that Willis isn't ready to throw in the towel and is ready to take his shot as the No. 1 quarterback in two-tone blue.   

It's not been said publicly, but it would not surprise this writer if head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Ran Carthon hope Levis can win the job and begin his career as the starter this season. 

Of course, Vrabel will go with the player that gives him the best chance of winning because, as a former player, and a competitor, it's highly unlikely that he will be willing to "tank" this season and suffer through 17 games in an attempt to earn a higher draft position next season. 

He's not that kind of personality or coach, and he wants to win every week, so he won't start the season with less than is best intentionally. 

Still, this is the first round of the competition to earn the starters role, and it seems to be shaping up as just that, a competition between all three men. 

After all, and if you follow the rumors, Tannehill and Willis could be traded if they aren't the starter, though that's not as likely as those rumors might suggest for Tannehill. 

As for Willis, his future here, or with another team, rests on what he can put on film during the coming preseason games where he will see time on the field if the Titans are indeed interested in trading their former third-round selection.    

We will get our first view of this competition on Tuesday, when the media availability will allow us to watch the team go through their activities, and every available publication detail will be examined to death. 

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