Titans casting wide net in search for Malik Willis' replacement

The Tennessee Titans are one of less than a handful of teams that don't currently possess a third quarterback on their active roster or practice squad. General manager Ran Carthon traded Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers in a move that guaranteed Will Levis and Mason Rudolph would be the two signal callers on the 53. Head coach Brian Callahan recently said he'd like to add a young developmental QB to the practice squad.

As per usual, Callahan is backing his words with actions. The Titans recently worked out young quarterbacks Ian Book and Chris Oladokun, according to a report from Aaron Wilson. That makes Book and Oladokun the early favorites to join Tennessee's practice squad as the No. 3 quarterback.

Chris Oladokun

Oladoukun initially entered the league as a seventh-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Florida, Samford, and South Dakota State. Oladokun didn't make Pittsburgh's roster in 2022, and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad approximately one week after his release.

Oladokun then signed a futures/reserve contract with the Chiefs ahead of the 2023 season. He's been with the Chiefs in a practice squad role ever since, but was released during final cuts in both 2023 and 2024. This past preseason, Oladokun completed 22-of-33 passing attempts (66.6% completion percentage) for 250 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He was fairly sharp during the first and second exhibition games, but struggled in the finale, throwing his two interceptions. The three-program performer added 19 rushing yards to his offensive totals.

Ian Book

Book is a more well-known QB prospect because he played collegiately at Notre Dame. The El Dorado Hills native was electric for the Fighting Irish program in 2019, throwing for 34 touchdowns. Book regressed in 2020, his final season at ND, but was still drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Book has not developed into an NFL-caliber quarterback despite the pre-draft profile. He made one career start as a rookie in 2021, going 12-of-20 for 135 yards and two interceptions in a defeat to the Miami Dolphins. The Saints waived Book prior to his sophomore campaign despite spending a fourth-rounder on him.

Book has been a journeyman since his release from the Saints, spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Chiefs, where he coincidentally competed with Oladokun. In three preseason contests with Kansas City, Book completed 16-of-22 passes (72.7% completion percentage) for 133 yards and two touchdowns. The dual-threat Book fumbled twice, losing one.

The Titans will soon sign a young quarterback to their practice squad. Current indications are that Book and Oladokun are the early contenders. We'll see if another candidate emerges prior to Sunday's regular-season opener with the Chicago Bears.