Rookie Malik Willis expected to start Tennessee Titans final preseason game
NASHVILLE — Rookie quarterback Malik Willis is expected to start for the Tennessee Titans in the their preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Every rep this summer has been critical for the 2022 third-round pick. Willis will get a third opportunity to showcase his progress on Saturday. Incumbent back-up Logan Woodside has seen action in the […]
NASHVILLE — Rookie quarterback Malik Willis is expected to start for the Tennessee Titans in the their preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Every rep this summer has been critical for the 2022 third-round pick.
Willis will get a third opportunity to showcase his progress on Saturday. Incumbent back-up Logan Woodside has seen action in the second half only during the first two preseason games.
The rookie, Willis, has completed thirteen of his 28 total passing attempts for 187 yards and a touchdown in the previous two exhibitions. Willis has also contributed 80 more yards rushing on 10 attempts and a score on the ground. His acclimation in Tennessee's system factors into a critical roster decision that needs to be made on who will back-up starter Ryan Tannehill in 2022.
Willis starting Saturday night vs the Cardinals could also mean that Tannehill will not see a single snap of preseason action.
The Titans may keep three quarterbacks to start the season either way, but Willis is who they need to get up to speed the most.
Willis' preseason marked by potential
Potential can only get you so far in the NFL, however.
Willis' outings on the road at Baltimore and facing the Buccaneers at home last week have been fairly rough. That is to be expected for a prospect with so much to learn about both the mechanics and operations of playing quarterback at the professional level. Tennessee's staff likes the progress that Willis has made.
They are also in no hurry to fast-track him.
"There were some things that (Willis) improved on and there – we're probably going to have to go back and look at the film," coach Mike Vrabel said after the Titans first preseason win. "There are just some things that we're going to have to continue to coach and improve operationally. It's hard to run out the back of the pocket in this league. It's hard. We're just going to continue to coach him to try to step up and find guys that can help him. And then when there are opportunities to create plays, try to do that as well."
The Titans will make their final roster cuts on August 30 at 3 PM CT.
Featured Image: USA TODAY.
