NASHVILLE — When the Tennessee Titans traded up to draft Kentucky quarterback Will Levis with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, they did so with the intention of him being the franchise's future at the position.

2023 is a contract year for 35-year-old Ryan Tannehill, who is making $36.6 million against the cap, been dealing with lower body injuries, and is unlikely to return for the 2024 season.

Second-year man Malik Willis, who was drafted in 2022 by former Titans GM Jon Robinson, has been fighting an uphill battle ever since the Titans selected Levis. Willis‘ play since then has only further cemented the idea that Levis is Tennessee's best chance at a future franchise QB.

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Tannehill could miss some time after going down with an ankle injury in Tennessee’s Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. If that’s the case, that makes now the perfect time for the Titans to get a look at Will Levis and start him against the Atlanta Falcons at home on October 29th.

Levis has been inactive for each of Tennessee’s first six contests this season, but the version of Malik Willis we saw against Baltimore was one that I have little faith in. Willis continues to struggle with getting rid of the ball and taking too many sacks. In 15 plays on Sunday, the former Liberty Flames QB was sacked four times.

Willis has been sacked on 17.5 percent of his career drop back. That’s the second highest rate of any quarterback in the last 30 years with at least 50 career pass attempts.

Malik Willis has been sacked on 17.5% of his career dropbacks. That's 2nd highest rate for any QB w/ 50+ pass attempts in last 30 seasons. Only Luke Falk (18%) is higher

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) October 15, 2023

Is the Titans offensive line great? Absolutely not. But 17.5 percent is way too big of a number for it to just be an offensive line problem. Willis is too hesitant to let it rip. He goes into flight mode at the first sign of pressure and occasionally lacks awareness about game situations and clock management.

There was a play from Sunday's game against the Ravens that was as good of an example of this as there is. Instead of taking a shot to the end zone, throwing the ball away, or even just stepping out of bounds, Willis tried to extend a play and make something happen with his legs. As a result, he is not only tackled in bounds with the clock running, but his team gets penalized and backed up from the goal line. 

Willis’ athleticism is a plus, but he has a tendency to overestimate his own athleticism and ability to escape pressure.

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Levis, on the other hand, I think is better equipped to run the Titans' offense with how it is designed. He excels in play action, can fit the football in tight windows, and he's not afraid to take a shot down field. Granted, that could lead to some turnovers. But I think the combination of Levis' arm strength with his sneaky athleticism and willingness to throw the football could be exactly what the Titans need.

But outside of giving Tennessee the best chance to win right now, it would only make sense for the Titans to get a look at Levis given the investment they have made in him. Unlike Willis, Levis was actually drafted by Ran Carthon. He was drafted at the beginning of the second round , and the Titans were reportedly the looking to trade back into the first round to get him at one point. Tennessee traded up for the 33rd overall pick to select him.

If you’re making that type of move, it’s because you believe Levis can be your franchise quarterback. It made sense for Willis to be the backup to begin the season because of Levis' quad injury that kept him out of two preseason games and the second half of training camp. But with Levis healthy and two full weeks to prepare for a home game against Atlanta, what better time to get a look at your rookie quarterback than now?

Tennessee plays in Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football just four days after they take on Atlanta. It wouldn’t make much sense to play one of Willis/Levis against the Falcons and then the other just four days later. Whoever starts in Week 8 is likely to also be the starter in Week 9.

After that, who knows? Maybe Ryan Tannehill is back to reassume his starting job.

Going into the off-season without getting a look at Levis other than one preseason game in Chicago would be a nightmare for Tennessee. You have to get a look at the quarterback you think will be your starter next season. Especially when he’s the guy who gives you the best chance to win.

This is a no-brainer. If Ryan Tannehill can’t go, it needs to be Will Levis for the Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 29th.

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