CHICAGO — Despite a 23-17 loss to the Chicago Bears and a couple missed opportunities down the stretch, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis has some positives to take away from his first game in an NFL uniform. 

Levis split time at quarterback with Malik Willis in Tennessee's preseason debut at Soldier Field and completed nine of his 14 passes for 85 yards and one interception. 

That interception came on Levis' final pass of the game as the Titans hunted for the end zone with time running out. Tennessee's rookie quarterback said after the game that he was anticipating a receiver coming across the middle on the play and that he wishes he had the throw back.

The same thing could be said about the play before, when Levis just barely missed wide receiver Gavin Holmes on an off-platform throw that could have won the game for Tennessee.

"The second to last play there, I'm moving out of the pocket, I'm throwing off-platform, but it's a throw that I can make," said Levis postgame. "If I put that on him, he can catch and run and it's a different ballgame and I'm feeling a lot better about myself right now."

Will Levis said if he could have gotten the ball to Gavin Holmes on the play before the INT that would have been a TD. Good play design by Tim Kelly. Mason Kinsey cleared it out from the slot and Holmes slipped underneath on the deep cross. Kevin Rader's curl route held the LB. pic.twitter.com/z4j9VXKeig

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 12, 2023

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Despite the outcome and his imperfections, there were still some positives to Levis' preseason debut. 

The 24-year-old rookie quarterback had a pair of 21-yard completions. One went to Mason Kinsey and set up a touchdown run for Hassan Haskins, the other went to Racey McMath and converted a 3rd & 13. 

Levis also felt good about the operations for his units and how he handled pass rushes and pressure despite being sacked four times.

"To have those reaffirming plays, seeing what you could possibly get from a pressure stand point and affirming that and reacting, that's what you gotta do in this league," said Levis postgame. "I feel like I did a decent job of that."

For a guy getting his first NFL game action, Levis held his own on Saturday. Tennessee moved the ball relatively well with him under center, and had Josh Whyle not fumbled the ball in Bears territory, we may be talking about Levis leading a 70-yard touchdown drive with multiple third down conversions.

The tiniest of errors can make you or break you in a game of inches, but working out those kinks is part of being a rookie quarterback at this level. That much is obvious from the debut performances of C.J. Stroud (14 yards, 1 INT), Bryce Young (21 yards), and Anthony Richardson (67 yards, 1 INT) as well. 

Levis' arm talent and athleticism are going to shine over time.