Tyler's Take: Despite Camp Excitement, Will Levis Still the Favorite for Backup QB

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans starting quarterback role is occupied by veteran Ryan Tannehill, but the backup spot is still up for grabs as second-year Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis battle for the role. Despite some excitement surrounding Willis, Levis is still the favorite to back up Tannehill.

Willis struggled mightily in his rookie season putting up a 50% completion percentage with 125 yards per game, zero passing touchdowns and three interceptions. However, the rookie was never expected to be ready to go in year one.

Willis has come out to start year two and impressed. Reports out of organized team activities and comments from the coaches have all indicated that Willis has taken significant steps and is more decisive, calm and confident.

That is all great and Willis could use that as a springboard to secure the backup spot, but color me skeptical. Willis may have made improvements from last season, but that doesn't mean he has improved to a point where he is now a legitimate NFL quarterback.

For all eternity we have seen camp excitement fall flat. Names get buzz in the summer and when the pads come on and the intensity increases, the buzz seems fraudulent. Again, Willis could actually have made a giant leap in the five months since he last played, but the odds of that are still low.

Charles London praises #Titans QB Malik Willis: pic.twitter.com/5MgiNwxAod
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) June 14, 2023

The other side of this is about Levis. At the end of the day, you don't trade up for Levis if you believe Willis can be the guy. Back-to-back years taking a quarterback in the top three rounds doesn't make a lot of sense from an asset-allocation standpoint.

Not to mention the Titans really used one of their first three picks in three straight drafts if you include the 2024 third rounder the Titans sent to Arizona in the trade for Levis. The Titans don't do this if they don't feel extremely confident in Levis over Willis.

Levis has struggled at times in summer practices, but it hasn't been the disaster some are characterizing it as. Also, one of the big reasons the Titans preferred Levis is his familiarity with a pro-style offense.

Levis has so many advantages. Faith from the organization, prototypical size and comfortability with the responsibilities of a pro-style quarterback. It would be hard to imagine him not taking the backup spot at some point during camp or the preseason.

Willis could surprise me and the world and come out gangbusters in camp and the preseason, but to me, the odds are still heavily in favor of Levis and I am not going to let some summer practices change my mind until we see Willis in a game environment.

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