The Tennessee Titans have anointed Cam Ward as the quarterback of the future, and the entire franchise is going to be built around helping him succeed. So, what does that mean for their former quarterback of the future, Will Levis?
Brian Callahan, Mike Borgonzi, and Chad Brinker are all in lockstep saying that Ward won't be handed the job in training camp and that he'll have to pry it from Levis. No one in their right mind really believes that Levis has a shot to win that job, and it is still fair to question whether he will be on the roster in 2025.
Rumors swirled around a potential Levis trade during the 2025 NFL Draft, but nothing materialized. The Titans don't appear to be in any rush to part ways with Levis. He's a quality backup quarterback on an affordable four-year rookie contract.
One of the biggest cheat codes in the salary cap era is a quarterback on a rookie contract and the Titans have two of them. Levis isn't among the top 50 highest-paid QBs in the NFL. Instead of paying $14 million for a backup quarterback like Daniel Jones, the Titans can rest easy knowing they are getting a similar talent for $3 million.
The Titans don't appear interested in simply giving Levis away. A team like the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, or New Orleans Saints should be knocking down the Titans' door to try to get someone who can take as much punishment as Levis did, considering how fragile their current quarterbacks are.
It seems like the Titans' front office knows Levis has value around the NFL, because they are making it very clear that they didn't attempt to trade him during the draft.
Borgonzi recently discussed Levis and how valuable having a cheap backup quarterback is via the official team website.
"'It's a lot of value," Borgonzi said of Levis. '"There is going to be competition in every room, and he elevates the competition in that room. That is what we're trying to do here as we get into training camp, to have the best 90-man roster, best competition in every room, and Will certainly provides that."
Though a Levis trade could still materialize, the Titans are making it clear they're not in any rush. It's different from the Malik Willis situation last offseason. So, for now, just enjoy having one of the youngest, cheapest tandem of quarterbacks in the NFL and root for Levis to impress throughout training camp and possibly the preseason so that other teams are tempted to make a move for him.