Tannehill, Willis, Levis, The Titans Quarterback Situation
NASHVILLE - Following the selection of quarterback Will Levis with the No. 33 overall pick in last week's NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans no have three on their roster entering the 2023 season.
Each player is in a very different and unique position as things stand today. Veteran Ryan Tannehill is in the final year of a large contract. Rumors have surrounded him, including some that say he could be traded and others that say he will be released.
Second-year quarterback Malik Willis, taken in round three of the 2022 draft, came in as a developmental player, who needed time and coaching, but had potential. He struggled when he got his chance to become the starter last season after Tannehill was injured, and now reports before the draft indicated that he has fallen out of favor with the team.
Rookie Will Levis enters the season in the best position of the three. He will be working on the first year of a rookie contract. Whether he gets the opportunity to start this year or not, he will be on the roster into the future, while Tannehill, and possibly Willis, could be gone after this season or even before.
Head coach Mike Vrabel made clear the pecking order for his quarterback at the moment in his post-draft press conference Friday night after the selection of Levis.
"Ryan will be the starting quarterback on Monday," he told the media members. "Malik (Willis) will be the backup. Will will be the third quarterback. And what I've told them is whatever happens after that will be up to the players. That's what it's always been here. That's what we always want it to be."
If the season began today, Tannehill would be the starter. Still, with rookie mini-camp, OTAs, and training camp to go, that could change, though, at this point, it seems unlikely if the Titans have Tannehill-which I think they will- on their opening day roster, he will be the starter.
It's hard to imagine the team would keep Tannehill and his $27 million salary and let him ride the pine. If he's here, and all indications at this time point to him remaining, he will be the starter.
As for Willis, he will get his chance in this process to show that he has learned and improved from what we witnessed from him on the field last season.
One potential difference that could play in Willis' favor is the chance in offensive coordinators from Todd Downing to Tim Kelly. While it's still unknown precisely what Kelly's offense will look like, he could be more open to having plays that fit more toward the second-year pro's skill set for when Willis is in the game during the preseason.
As for Levis, he will enter this as the third quarterback, but more realistically, the second, with the team ready to move him past Willis for any reason.
There's also the fact that with Tannehill in his final contract season. Vrabel could be anxious to see what he has in his new young passer, so should the team struggle early, the draw of seeing Levis on the field could force a change, meaning the rookie could become the starter this season.
There are many ways this could play out, and many in the local and national media see the road for Levis to assume the reigns this season, as few are predicting the Titans to be good this season.
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