Titans Coach Mike Vrabel Calls Rookie QB Will Levis a 'More Comfortable Player'
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged at his Monday press conference that rookie quarterback Will Levis came into an unusual situation when the team traded up in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft to select the Kentucky quarterback.
Not only was a veteran like Ryan Tannehill entrenched as the starter, but the Titans already had a young passer in second-year player Malik Willis. Levis coming in had the ability to alienate both of his peers and threatens their standing with the team.
Being a rookie in the NFL is hard enough, but with that sort of situation and the added fact that quarterbacks always garner more of a microscope, you could see how Levis may not be the most comfortable player in the locker room early on.
Vrabel said he's seen that comfortability improve, but acknowledged the circumstances.
"Those preseason reps are critical," Vrabel said as he discussed what he's seen from Levis so far, "but I have also seen some really good practice reps, seen stuff through camp and then just didn't feel like he was ready to go into games under those circumstances. Seen a more comfortable player, just a more comfortable person, a rookie. A unique situation coming into this league as a quarterback with an existing quarterback, with a player in his second year, that's unique. I think he's handled that well. I think his comfort level and just being around here is improved."
Levis being more comfortable these days may be critical for the Titans if they want to keep their winning dreams alive now, or in the near future. Levis was always assumed to be the starter as soon as 2024, but with Tannehill's ankle injury, he may need to play, and win, sooner than next season.
Malik Willis, the Titan's backup the past six weeks, had his rookie struggles in 2022, but improved through the offseason to the point of making the roster and holding off Levis for the backup job when some thought the Levis pick meant Willis' certain ousting.
Willis struggled in relief of Tannehill in Week 6 though. He showed some of the same issues he's always displayed like holding the ball too long and inaccurate passes, but the circumstances were stacked against Willis.
Will Vrabel give Willis a better shot with a tailored gameplan in Week 8 with Tannehill almost certainly out, or will we finally get to see the rookie in action for the first time since August after he missed the final two preseason games with a thigh injury?
Vrabel isn't willing to say which quarterback would play just yet.
"It'll be one of those two guys if Ryan can't go," Vrabel said. "I don't know who that would be yet. We will see how they continue to practice. It'll be good to get them some work this week with some guys they haven't necessarily worked with. They've been working on the show team during the season. I'm excited to get both of those guys some reps with some of our offensive guys and see how they handle that."
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