The Dynamics Of The Tennessee Titans Quarterback Situation

The Tennessee Titans have the most interesting quarterback room in the NFL.

NASHVILLE - When it comes to the Tennessee Titans, at least locally, the perception is that sometimes the national media overlooks this team because they are in one of the smaller markets among league teams. 

However, that's not likely the case as we enter the coming 2023 season, as the Titans have arguably the most interesting quarterback room in the NFL.

 Of course, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and the other elite quarterbacks in the league will continue to garner their share of attention. Still, no other franchise can match the potential for quarterback competition and possible controversy like the Titans could provide this season.  

Head coach Mike Vrabel made clear the pecking order amongst his three quarterbacks during his post-draft press conference when he stated Ryan Tannehill was first, Malik Willis was second, and rookie draft pick Will Levis was third. 

Tannehill has been subject to rumors and speculation during this off-season. So too, has Willis, and then there was the draft night slide into round two by Levis that brought even more potential intrigue to the Titans. This has been the most discussed group in the league since January, and there's little chance of that changing anytime soon.

All three quarterbacks will enter the coming minicamp and training camp feeling they have something to prove. This could lead to high drama and fierce competition ahead of the September first game in New Orleans. 

Tannehill spoke with the media earlier this month and commented on where he stands with the organization entering this season.

"My job's to get ready to go win football games, and that's what I'm gonna do each and every day," said Tannehill. "You can only control what you can control, right? Mike (Vrabel) and Ran (Carthon) make those decisions, and as players, you've got to control what you can control, and that's doing the best you can, prepping yourself mentally and physically each and every day, and winning football games."

As for Levis, Tannehill had this to say about his new teammate.

"Hopefully, he adds to the room," said Tannehill. He's a talented guy coming off a great career, so we'll see when I get to meet him here in a few weeks."   

Levis spoke with the local media in person for the first time following Saturday's rookie minicamp and was asked if he had met or spoken with Ryan.     

"Tannehill? Yeah, he texted me after I got drafted, and he reached out, and he just wished me luck and told me he was there if I needed something," said Levis. "I haven't been able to meet him in person yet. I came in here on Friday, and I missed him. I think he left the locker room right before I came in but I'm really looking forward to working with him and to just keep improving, and he's a great example for me."

"You know, the guy's had a decade-long career, and he's been able to make things happen at this level, so there's a lot of things I can take from him and learn from him."

As for Willis, he's not spoken publically, but his personal quarterback coach did, in an article by Nick Suss, of The Tennessean. 

 "I think it’s like getting news that you didn’t want. I think that’s the best way to look at it," Sean McEvoy, Willis' private quarterbacks coach, told The Tennessean. "You knew there was a possibility they were going to take a quarterback, either in the first round or the first three rounds. ... If you’re basing on when you last saw Malik in December, that was a guy the coaches perceived wasn’t ready to play. So if you’re looking forward at that quarterback room, there’s no ‘We’re definitely sure, 100% locked in with him’ guy. So I think it makes sense to add another person in that room."

McEvoy says the pick hasn't changed Willis' mindset. His goal is to be Tannehill's successor. Competing with Levis doesn't change that.  

"I think the learning piece for Malik is understanding it’s different now," McEvoy said. "It’s more important that you’re on time executing the offense the way a guy with less ability to extend would do it. It’s almost like he needs to play more like Logan Woodside than Malik Willis at certain times."

"Everyone’s clear that the big issue late in the season was that they didn’t feel like he was where they needed him to be to start those last couple weeks," McEvoy said. "Malik just looks at himself there. Obviously, there’s other factors that contribute to how ready a quarterback is. But all Malik is worried about is what did he do and what can he do better and just making sure that’s never a situation that happens again."

Having sat and listened to both Tannehill and Levis during their respective press conferences, it appeared to me that Tannehill was unsettled with how this offseason has transpired. At the same time, Levis is excited to be here.

As for Willis, while not his words, the comments of McEvoy suggest he's also not happy with how the organization has handled this.

While none of this has been under the control of these three individuals, they are now lumped together in one room, likely battling for two roster spots, and the odds- and speculations- are that Willis could find himself out the door during training camp.  

While competition is good for players, and the team, this one for the Titans will keep the attention of both local and national media pundits throughout the coming months.  

As for the Titans, this could be a win-win situation. For instance, suppose that Willis comes in and plays well enough to make the roster. The Titans would then be posed with a tough decision, keep him and three quarterbacks on the roster, where Willis could continue to compete with Levis next season when Tannehill will likely be gone, or trade him for draft capital in 2024. 

Either way would be a win for the Titans.

Titans Related Stories

• TITANS ROOKIE QUARTERBACK LEVIS HEARING AND IGNORING THE NOISE: Will Levis admitted that he's heard the noise surrounding him for the last few months and has ignored it. CLICK HERE
• TITANS ANNOUNCE AGREEING TO TERMS WITH 14 UNDRAFTED ROOKIE-FREE AGENTS: The Titans agreed to terms with 14 undrafted rookie free agents ahead of their rookie minicamp. CLICK HERE
• TITANS NOT THE BETTING FAVORITES THROUGH FIRST SIX GAMES: The Tennessee Titans open the season as the underdogs in their first six games, according to the Las Vegas sports books, who place the odds on NFL games. CLICK HERE