The Quarterback Competition in Tennessee
As the Tennessee Titans close out training camp and prepare for their final preseason game against the Chicago Bears, the team's quarterback room has become the center of attention. After a turnover-heavy practice on Monday, the focus has shifted from a shaky defense to the offensive side of the ball, according to Sports Illustrated.
In a session that emphasized red-zone work, the Titans' primary signal-callers all struggled. Cam Ward, the team's top pick from last year, completed 7 of 16 passes with a touchdown and two interceptions, while Mitch Trubisky and Will Levis each threw a pick, the outlet reported. The unit as a whole threw five touchdowns against four interceptions, a performance the report notes came despite Ward's showing improvement over his prior outing against the San Francisco 49ers.
Levis's Uneven Road
Will Levis has traveled a hard road since being drafted as the franchise's quarterback of the future. He missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, and the team drafted Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick, according to Newsweek. This offseason, the Titans also signed Mitchell Trubisky, a veteran with nine seasons and 57 starts, to compete for the backup spot, adding another obstacle for Levis.
Levis remains confident in his abilities, telling Newsweek, "I know I've put the tape out there already that I'm a dang good quarterback in this league and I'm even better than I ever have been. There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me—I know that for sure."
But his on-field statistics have not matched that self-assessment. Over two preseason games, Levis has completed just 7 of 17 passes for 57 yards. His regular-season numbers over two years with the Titans: 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions with an 82.7 passer rating. The struggles have been ongoing—Levis threw for just 21 touchdowns in 21 starts, and his passer rating barely cracked 80, according to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, cited by Newsweek.
High Stakes for Both Ward and Levis
Sports Illustrated emphasizes that the stakes are higher for both Ward and Levis, but for different reasons. Ward is described as the Titans' unchallenged starter and the face of the franchise, while Levis is "quite literally playing" his NFL career. The pressure is visible, with the outlet noting that Ward's struggles have even raised some early alarms.
There is also particular interest in the dynamics of the quarterback room. Trubisky, a veteran, is seen as a general guide for Ward, a role that adds stability to a team seeking to build. Meanwhile, Davenport suggests Levis may soon find himself elsewhere, noting that with Ward established and Trubisky at backup, Levis faces a difficult path to a roster spot. "Ward is the unquestioned starter in Tennessee, while Mitchell Trubisky is a veteran backup," Davenport wrote, as reported by Newsweek, adding that Levis might be looking for a new team sooner or later.