Tyler's Take: QB Malik Willis Deserves Start in Titans First Preseason Game

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will kickoff their preseason schedule this Saturday in Chicago against the Bears. We more than likely won't see starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, so second-year quarterback Malik Willis deserves the opportunity to start in his place.

Willis is in a tough position. When the Titans traded up to draft rookie quarterback Will Levis in the second round of this year's NFL draft, the clock started ticking on Willis.

Willis was a draft pick of now-fired general manager Jon Robinson anyways, making it an uphill climb against the passer the new general manager, Ran Carthon, and the head coach, Mike Vrabel, hand picked. The Titans didn't just give up their second-round pick, they gave up a third rounder in 2024 to get Levis as well.

A big investment.

With all the politics involved, it was already going to be hard for Willis to hold off Levis. Not to mention outside of the politics, Levis has performed better in camp so far. Yes, Willis has made major improvements from last season, but with how raw he was coming in, it's fair to wonder if he has made enough of an improvement to beat out the rookie.

Willis came from a shotgun-based, RPO-style offense that is not at all like what he is being asked to do with the Titans. On the flip side, Levis was in a pro-style system in college that is very similar to what the Titans do.

Despite all the factors stacked against Willis, he still deserves the shot to start this first preseason game. When Levis was drafted, Vrabel announced that Willis is the backup and Levis is the third passer on the depth chart. That should hold at least one preseason game.

The odds are, with everything involved, that Levis takes the backup quarterback role, but Willis should get the first crack at going with a better version of the offense to see what he can do. Willis had to play last season with a disaster of an offense and was far from ready to play.

Willis finally has that red-shirt year under his belt and has had a full offseason to make improvements and adjustments. It may not be enough to hold off Levis, but the work Willis has put in and what he went through last year should earn him at least one game of starting.

After that, what happens is up to Willis. If he performs well enough, there is no way the coaching staff can put Levis above him. Now, I don't think that is the way it plays out, but Willis deserves the first shot to defend himself and show what he has worked on.

I think the Titans will give him that chance on Saturday.

Titans Training Camp Stories

OL Steps Up: The Tennessee Titans' offensive line has caused it's fair share of concern through the early stages of training camp, but on Friday we saw the offensive line finally have some good moments. CLICK HERE
Titans Add OL Depth: The Tennessee Titans' efforts to rebuild their offensive line are ongoing, with the biggest concern at right tackle. The latest move to help there is signing veteran offensive lineman Justin Murray. CLICK HERE
Fulton's Strong Start: The Tennessee Titans' cornerback is going into his fourth season and despite injury issues in the past, Fulton looks to be in the best shape of his career and is making plays at training camp. CLICK HERE

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