Titans coach gets real when discussing Malik Willis' development
The development of rookie quarterback Malik Willis has been a hot-button topic since the Tennessee Titans selected him in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After turning in a handful of disappointing performances in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill, Willis is now the back-up to Joshua Dobbs. Keep in mind that the Titans […]
The development of rookie quarterback Malik Willis has been a hot-button topic since the Tennessee Titans selected him in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
After turning in a handful of disappointing performances in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill, Willis is now the back-up to Joshua Dobbs. Keep in mind that the Titans started Dobbs over Willis in Week 17 after having been with the team for a grand total of nine days.
The Titans did not draft Willis with the mindset that he would contribute in 2022. In fact, there were plenty of reasons to believe Willis wouldn’t even be ready for the 2023 campaign.
Unfortunately, injuries expedited Willis’ NFL debut far sooner than he, or the Titans, would have preferred. That being said, Tennessee’s plan to bring Willis along isn’t changing any time soon.
On Wednesday, reporters caught up with quarterbacks coach Pat O’Hara to discuss what Willis' development currently looks like.
“This is just a part of the process. Like I tell him, ‘This is part of the journey. You can’t take the elevator, you have to take the stairs,’” O’Hara said. “You gotta work at it and he knows that. This is a process that is gonna take time.”
The 2023 off-season will be critical for Willis. If he can demonstrate key signs of development, his progression will go a long way in restoring faith within the organization.
Featured image via Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
