The second year quarterback has been benched against the Colts.
The 2023 rookie quarterbacks have had a rough go of it over their first two seasons in the league. Bryce Young was the first to ride the pine, but has since found his way back into the starter role. Anthony Richardson was also benched. Indianapolis Colts fans know all too well the drama and confusion that surrounded that benching. Since returning to the lineup, we have seen some bad, but we have also seen a lot of good that can be built on. Now, Will Levis finds himself on the bench Sunday as the Titans head to Lucas Oil to take on the Colts. The question is whether he will find himself as the starter this year or ever again for the Titans.
Even C.J. Stroud has struggled in his second year more than he seemed to as a rookie, but he appears to be the only one that has emerged virtually unscathed. A benching isn’t always the worst thing in the world, and it can actually have some major benefits. While both the Panthers and Colts went back to their quarterbacks, the Titans might have more reservations. First, Young and Richardson were first round picks. Not only were they first round picks, they were the first and fourth overall picks. That is a heavy investment. Levis wasn’t a six rounder, but being taken in the second round can be an easier decision to walk away from.
Secondly, coach Brian Callahan has seemed less than enamoured with Levis. That pick was made under the old regime. Callahan didn’t choose Levis, he inherited him. That is a huge reason why he may feel less pressure to bring Levis back as the Titans starter. He doesn’t believe Levis is done being a NFL quarterback, but it seems unclear if he believes he is done being the quarterback for the Titans. Lastly, the Titans have had a very poor season. They are staring down a potential pick in the 4-7 range. That could put them in line to draft their next franchise quarterback.
I feel that the Colts going back to Anthony Richardson was the right move. He has the skill and given more fine tuning, could be something special. I have never felt that way about Will Levis. After watching him play, I feel even more strongly about that. Whether the Titans or another team feels he can be the guy is yet to be determined. Maybe the Titans give him another shot to start the season, but if they draft a quarterback with their first round pick, don’t expect him to last too long.