The Tennessee Titans were facing a tough predicament in Week 7. With starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill sidelined because of an injury, the team was turning to rookie second-round pick Will Levis to take over as the starter.
The plan was to mix Malik Willis in as well to keep the Atlanta Falcons on their toes. However, an adjustment to the plan was needed after Levis came out firing. In his NFL debut, the Kentucky product led the Titans to a 28-23 victory over the Falcons.
Levis completed 19-of-29 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns, torching Atlanta’s much-improved secondary. He was sacked only twice and was not afraid to take shots downfield, regularly connecting on deep balls to DeAndre Hopkins and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Hopkins finished the game with four catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
That performance seems to have been enough to earn Levis at least one more start. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, he will be under center as the starter in Week 9 when the Titans face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
Tannehill is dealing with a sprained ankle that he suffered in the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in London. He was ruled out of the game against the Falcons on Friday last week. If he is unable to go again, it will be Levis making his second career start.
Tannehill has been the subject of a lot of trade rumors as well, so this could be Levis’s job long-term. The NFL trade deadline is set for Tuesday and the Titans already began their firesale last week, trading safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The No. 33 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is already carrying himself like a multi-year veteran. Despite becoming only the third player in NFL history with four touchdown passes in his professional debut, Levis is shifting his focus to his next task; the Steelers.
“We got the win, that’s all that matters,” Levis said Sunday. “Got to get ready for this short week against Pittsburgh.”
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