Will Levis down to last-ditch opportunity to prove he's Titans' franchise QB

Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Will Levis practiced on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Sunday's Week 9 game versus the New England Patriots. The sophomore signal caller missed Tennessee's previous two contests, blowout losses to the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. If Levis returns to the lineup as expected on Sunday, he's likely entering the final stretch to prove he could be the team's franchise quarterback.

Levis initially injured his shoulder in the early portion of a Week 4 primetime victory over the Miami Dolphins. He was replaced by veteran backup Mason Rudolph, who oversaw Tennessee's only victory of the season to date. Levis returned to the lineup after the Week 5 bye in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but showed lingering signs of that injured shoulder.

Rudolph started the following two contests, aforementioned losses to Buffalo and Detroit. Levis hasn't been Tennessee's only problem this season, an opinion proven by the combined 86-24 scoreline in consecutive defeats without him in the lineup. But Levis hasn't been as advertised given the offseason hype, and he's entering a critical stretch that could determine his future fate.

The Titans invested heavily in Levis' development in the offseason. They acquired Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd at wide receiver, and added JC Latham and Lloyd Cushenberry to an offensive line that is spearheaded by legendary position coach Bill Callahan. Levis has come nowhere near taking the expected steps.

In fact, Levis has arguably been the worst full-time starting QB in the league. The former Kentucky standout has completed 66.4% of his passes, but he's averaging just 5.6 yards per attempt, and has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (5). He's committed 10 total turnovers, including three fumbles.

Bryce Young (5.1) and Deshaun Watson (5.3) are the only quarterbacks that entered the new league year as starters with a lower yards per attempt average than Levis' 5.6. Despite missing multiple games, Levis' seven interceptions are two off the league-lead. His adjusted quarterback rating of 26.0 ranks 29th among 30 qualifying QBs, and his 70.7 passer rating is third-lowest behind just Anthony Richardson and Young. Both of those quarterbacks have been benched.

The Titans enter Sunday's game versus the Patriots currently owning the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Barring an unlikely turnaround, a loss to the Patriots, who are also in contention for a top pick, would all but assure the Titans finish the season with a top-three-to-five selection. General manager Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan could be tempted to select Levis' successor with a pick that high, with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward looking like potential top options.

Levis hasn't met the organization's expectations this season. We're officially past the midway point of the 2024 campaign. A critical period awaits. Levis must remain healthy and perform better while maximizing these final nine opportunities to prove he's still capable of developing into a franchise QB.

If not, the Titans will likely have a different starting quarterback in 2025.