When the Tennessee Titans used the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft on rookie quarterback Cam Ward, they unofficially ended the chapter of Will Levis’ time with the team. However, the Titans didn’t cut or trade Levis, leading to the awkward experience of Levis currently working alongside his replacement in OTAs. With the young quarterback preparing for just his third season in the NFL, this isn’t a situation where Tennessee will want to keep him around as a savvy vet for Ward, and Levis certainly doesn’t want that either. Entering next season as 26 years old, he’s likely ready to move on to his next destination and prove that he’s a starting quarterback in this league.
Unfortunately for him, the ball is in Tennessee’s court, because Levis has two years left on his rookie deal. However, he could be on the move soon, as June 1 signifies an important date on the NFL calendar. After June 1, it becomes significantly less expensive for a team to move a player. Cody Benjamin explained that in a recent piece for CBS Sports, detailing how the Titans will save $1.6 million by waiting until after June 1 to trade the young quarterback.
Beyond the financials, Benjamin also dropped a prediction about where Levis will play next, projecting that Tennessee trades him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"The Tennessee Titans aren't rushing to move on from the former second-round pick, at least publicly, but ever since the club's new regime spent this year's No. 1 overall pick on Cam Ward, the writing has been on the wall. Could coach Brian Callahan retain the big-armed youngster as Ward's backup? Perhaps. But the Titans could save $1.6 million by trading Levis after June 1, whereas a trade or release prior to June 1 would've only saved the franchise about $600,000."Cody Benjamin (ESPN)
Titans predicted to trade Will Levis to the Buccaneers after June 1
The Bucs were one of three teams named as potential landing spots, along with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. All three teams have established veteran quarterbacks that are 30 or older, so it’d make sense for them to add a second-round pick that could still develop into a starting quarterback. Landing on one of those teams would give Will Levis the opportunity to sit a few years, develop, and eventually become a successor on a playoff team.
A trade like that would make sense for everyone involved. The Titans would be able to officially complete the transition to Cam Ward, Will Levis will be in an environment where he’s wanted, and his new team will have a young quarterback to build. Whether a trade like this happens or not will come down to a team calling Tennessee about Levis, and the Titans being willing to part ways.