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Stephen A. Smith Blasts Titans QB Will Levis

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith took his turn jabbing Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis.
Zach Dimmitt|
Jul 11, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith prior to the Phoenix Suns against the Milwaukee Bucks in game three of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jul 11, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith prior to the Phoenix Suns against the Milwaukee Bucks in game three of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis continues to be criticized for his performance so far this season.

During a recent episode of ESPN's "First Take," Stephen A. Smith took his turn at jabbing Levis. While talking about Calvin Ridley's NSFW rant following Tennessee's Week 6's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Smith turned the page to Levis, saying that his role on the viral Hellman's Mayonnaise commercial is "rewarding mediocrity."

"How the hell he get these commercials?" Smith said. "See, that's the problem with America. We got to stop rewarding mediocrity ... How you gonna get a mayonnaise commercial and you playing like that? I mean come on."

Levis, who drew a ton of attention to himself during the pre-draft process last offseason when he admitted to putting mayonnaise in his coffee, has been featured in a hilarious Hellmann commercial since it debuted in August. The ad pokes fun at over-dramatic fragrance commercials while showing Levis shirtless with a full jar of mayonnaise.

Considering the attention Levis garnered for his odd choice, it was a smart move by Hellman to jump at the opportunity to feature him in an ad, especially after he showed some promise last year as a rookie. However, Smith might be right for once. Levis' play through five games this season doesn't exactly warrant a spot in a national commercial.

Levis has struggled with decision-making and overall consistency this season. He's gone 83-for-125 passing for 699 yards and five touchdowns along with a league-leading seven interceptions. He has also lost three fumbles.

In the Titans' loss to the Colts, he finished with just 95 passing yards. That will certainly need to change if Levis wants to keep his job while also giving Tennessee its best shot at an upset on the road in Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills.

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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