The Tennessee Titans have been linked to acquiring a veteran quarterback this offseason. After sorting through the market, general manager Mike Borgonzi pulled the trigger on a familiar option in NFL free agency. The Titans are signing quarterback Brandon Allen to a one-year contract, according to a report from Mike Garafolo. It could signal the end of the Will Levis era in Tennessee.
Titans sign veteran QB Brandon Allen to one-year deal
Allen spent the better portion of the previous two seasons backing up Brock Purdy for the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to that, he spent portions of three seasons (2020-22) playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. You guessed it, his offensive coordinator was current Titans head coach Brian Callahan throughout that tenure.
Allen's familiarity with Callahan's playbook makes him the ideal backup quarterback for a rookie signal caller like Cam Ward. The Titans hold the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the possibility that they plan on selecting Ward with that pick is growing by the day.
The #Titans have agreed to terms with QB Brandon Allen on a one-year deal, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2025
Allen, the #49ers’ backup to Brock Purdy last year, reunites with Brian Callahan, his OC when both were with the #Bengals, on a deal done by @KyleStrongin of @RangeSportsRMP. pic.twitter.com/9n1v6pLozF
The Titans could conceivably enter training camp with both Allen and Levis on their roster even after utilizing the No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback. Callahan and quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree could promote a quarterback competition. There are a few problems with that notion.
Would Levis possess legitimate interest in a quarterback competition with a journeyman Allen for the No. 2 role? This is a third-year quarterback who the organization built around aggressively just last offseason. Levis likely understands he didn't perform well enough to be guaranteed anything this coming campaign, but a trade request from his representation feels as likely as a camp competition.
And as a naturally gifted quarterback, Levis would have suitors. Young, highly-drafted quarterbacks always do. Just look back to last offseason. The Titans did something similar with Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis. That competition never felt legitimate, and eventually ended with the Titans flipping Willis to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for late-round draft capital. A competition between Allen and Levis could yield a similar outcome.
The Titans have their backup quarterback in Allen, one who was targeted for his familiarity with the offense and playbook. He's certainly not someone who's going to prevent the Titans from drafting a quarterback like Ward or Shedeur Sanders. If anything, Allen just further decreases the likelihood of Levis playing for Callahan in 2025.