Titans get improved Malik Willis Experience in first preseason game
CHICAGO — The Tennessee Titans got the improved Malik Willis experience on Saturday in their first preseason action. Tennessee fell to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field by score of 23-17. Willis' progress is great news for Tennessee. It also further complicates the decision the Titans coaching staff must make. Willis started the game, but […]
CHICAGO — The Tennessee Titans got the improved Malik Willis experience on Saturday in their first preseason action. Tennessee fell to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field by score of 23-17.
Willis' progress is great news for Tennessee.
It also further complicates the decision the Titans coaching staff must make. Willis started the game, but alternated throughout the duration with 2023 second-round pick Will Levis. It was not the smoothest outing for either quarterback.
Willis' improvement year-over-year, however, was impossible to ignore.
The former third-round draft choice took the snaps for seven of Tennessee's 13 offensive drives. Willis completed 16 of his 25 passing attempts in that span for 189 yards with an interception in addition to three carries for another 22 on the ground and a rushing score.
"Just trying to go out there and execute whatever was called to the best of my ability," said Willis. "Make sure we get in and out of the huddle. We had a delay of game there early after that review to see if they got Chris (Moore) down before the fumble. Just have to make sure I'm staying on top of things, knowing that the ball is going to start on the ready and understanding cadence and making sure that all the guys are communicating."
What a difference a year makes.
Willis' improved command has been noticeable in his second NFL training camp. Chicago was the first live-game action he had seen since Christmas Eve 2022. The Titans lost at home that day to a floundering Houston Texans team.
It was the fifth consecutive contest that Tennessee had dropped, and Willis was benched for journeyman Joshua Dobbs for the remainder of the season.
The quarterback that started the Titans first exhibition of 2023 was not the same one that could not cope in his first NFL season. Coach Mike Vrabel spoke about Willis' "glaring improvement" at the opening of this year's training camp. Mechanics, accuracy, and general operation were all on display.
Willis still has much progress to make, but is clearly an ascending player in Tennessee's back-up quarterback competition.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
