Rookie quarterbacks turn Titans-Colts rivalry up a notch

Per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is set to make $9.54 million over the course of the next four years, which is obviously a good chunk of change.But, even though he's grateful, it's fair to think Levis is wondering what could've been. That's because Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay, said after […]

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor

Jul 22, 2023 12:15 PM EDT

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) smiles while chatting with teammates during an OTA practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is set to make $9.54 million over the course of the next four years, which is obviously a good chunk of change.

But, even though he's grateful, it's fair to think Levis is wondering what could've been.

That's because Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay, said after the 2023 NFL Draft that he thought the Colts would've drafted Levis with the No. 4 overall pick if Anthony Richardson wasn't there.

Irsay, on what the Colts would have done if Richardson was gone:

"I think we would have taken Will Levis. … We liked him."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) April 29, 2023

Holding the title of a top-5 NFL draft pick is something all college players love to have on their résumé, but the key with Richardson's selection is the big gap in dollars and cents.

Richardson has yet to sign his deal, but there's a 100% chance the contract will be nearly four times that of Levis' deal. Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick, just signed a four-year, $37,955,071 million deal with a signing bonus worth a little more than $24.6 million. Before him, No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson signed a four-year, $35,212,827 million deal with a $22,609,328 million signing bonus.

Spotrac projects Richardson's deal to be the typical four years and the dollar amount to be $33,994,030 million. The projection also includes a $21,722,931 signing bonus that's immediately paid once pen hits paper.

And, of course, all first-round contracts are fully guaranteed.

It's not all one-sided, however. Levis does have an advantage in the fact that he can hit free agency a year earlier than Richardson, who has to deal with the fifth-year option that's attached to his rookie contract. Both players are also eligible for extensions after Year 3. So, it's not like Levis will be stuck behind Richardson when it comes to his next contract.

There's also the NFL's PPE system: If Levis hits certain playing thresholds, he'll be eligible for a nice raise in Year 4. That only applies for draft picks outside of Round 1 – Richardson isn't eligible.

Either way, this layer will certainly add some more fuel to the Titans-Colts rivalry. For NFL players (and people in general), no one likes the idea of being someone else's No. 2; or aka, a backup plan. It's logical to think -and fair to assume- if/once Levis hits the field, he will want to make the Colts wish they never took Richardson over him.