Titans make the right call, commit to Will Levis as starting quarterback despite 0-3 start
NASHVILLE – With the Tennessee Titans sitting at 0-3 after an embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers at home, there's certain to be noise about Will Levis remaining Tennessee's starting quarterback. That's how it works in the NFL. The fanbase is restless and unhappy. Rightfully so. But Titans head coach Brian Callahan made the right […]
NASHVILLE – With the Tennessee Titans sitting at 0-3 after an embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers at home, there's certain to be noise about Will Levis remaining Tennessee's starting quarterback. That's how it works in the NFL.
The fanbase is restless and unhappy. Rightfully so. But Titans head coach Brian Callahan made the right call when he shut down any possibility of benching Will Levis after Sunday's loss.
The second-year quarterback was not the reason for Tennessee's loss to Green Bay. The Titans need to play better around Levis and continue to support him. It starts up front with the offensive line.
"Oh yeah. We've got to play better around him. I'm not going to overreact to an interception. Those things happen," said Callahan when asked if he remains committed to Levis as the team's starting quarterback. "We have not played a complete game in any phase at any point yet. We are capable of way better than what we've put on the field the last three weeks and nobody's coming to save us."
Callahan's commitment to Levis is a wise one. Before Sunday's game against the Packers, Levis was the most pressured quarterback in the NFL. Tennessee then proceeded to surrender eight sacks, one of which resulted in a fumble and turnover. But Levis never had a chance on that play after Nicholas Petit-Frere whiffed on his block due to "poor technique." The blame for the lack of offense on Sunday belongs on the shoulders of this offensive line.
It's also worth noting that Titans running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard combined for 21 rushing yards on eight carries against the Packers.
When you don't protect your quarterback and you can't run the football, you're not going to win many games. If you ask the Titans wide receivers, they could be doing a better job as well.
"Will is obviously our quarterback right now and I love Will. I wouldn't want anybody else out there on the field," said Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins after the game. "The way that he prepares, the way that he goes about his day, I love the kid and he's going to learn from his mistakes. It's not just Will. It's everybody."
"I know football…I know that we have to play better as receivers., We've got to make plays and get open faster and hold ourselves accountable." Tennessee's start wide receiver is expecting Levis to only get better with time. "He hasn't played 16 games…He hasn't played a full season. It's going to come with time."
I know it's not what Titans fans want to hear right now…but everybody needs to trust the process with Levis. Outside of the interception he threw to Jaire Alexander in the first quarter, he had a really efficient and productive game. Brian Callahan agreed with that assessment in his postgame press conference.
Levis finished the afternoon completing 26 of his 34 pass attempts for 260 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. One of those INTs was a desperate heave to the endzone late in the fourth quarter.
It's not time to jump ship on Levis. The Titans aren't doing it and neither should you. But it is time to question why Tennessee can't seem to play disciplined football or block for their QB after an offseason of rebuilding the offensive line and hiring a new coaching staff. Not even King Solomon could answer that right now.
At 0-3, Nashville is beginning to lose interest and faith in the "new era" of Titans football. But Will Levis should not be the guy taking blame for a shameful loss to the Packers.
Titans internal grade for WR Treylon Burks does not match the fanbase
Treylon Burks’ job is not to catch passes.
