Where Will Levis took a step forward despite another Titans loss
All progress matters, no matter how incremental.
NASHVILLE — Embattled quarterback Will Levis has played solid football since his return to the Tennessee Titans (2-8) lineup. Levis made his second consecutive start on Sunday in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) since missing three weeks with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder.
The young quarterback's weekly progress matters, even if it seems trivial against his team's record this season.
Will Levis Making Meaningful Strides
Levis finished the game against Minnesota completing 17 of his 31 passing attempts for 295 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
"I mean, honestly, I felt like last week in terms of just how I threw the ball, I was more accurate and I made some better decisions here and there," said Levis of his day against the Vikings. "But I was a little frustrated with a couple of the balls that I'm going to be watching on tape. But I just—all I want to do is win man, nothing else matters. And it's been frustrating. It's been tough. But I mean, I haven't won a game this year. I'm chasing that feeling and I'm doing everything I can to get there."
Tennessee lost Levis' first game back from injury by a score of 27-17 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3).
Moral victories do not outweigh the goal of winning games, of course. For Levis, it is critical that he continue to show weekly signs of growth at the position as the Titans evaluate all present and future quarterback options. There is a sense that the franchise is biding its time until the end of the season before moving on from Levis, though no final determinations have been made by high-ranking team officials.
"I thought Will (Levis) did a really nice job today," coach Brian Callahan said on Sunday. "That part was encouraging. I thought he stood in the pocket, played tough. He was accurate. There's going to be things that we need to clean up, but managing that game against that defense, the complexity of it, all the things that we have in our plan that you have to have to handle all the things that they do, I thought he did a really nice job. I thought that was another positive step for Will and I'm proud of the way he played. He fought, he battled. He stood in there and took a few and delivered some really nice throws, and I wish it was more to show for it."
The hope is that if Levis can continue to give the club reasons to believe in him, Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon can continue to address clear and obvious needs that the roster has across the board. Resetting at the most important position at year's end will only delay the timetable that Tennessee's current administration has to make the on-field product less of a league-wide embarrassment.
The Titans travel to face the Houston Texans (6-4) in Week 11. Watch/listen to Titans Radio's pregame coverage starting at 9 am CT on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
