Should the Tennessee Titans keep or trade Will Levis?
Rumors continue to swirl around Tennessee Titans in-limbo quarterback Will Levis. General manager Mike Borgonzi obviously drafted Cam Ward at No. 1 overall to be the new starting quarterback. That decision immediately placed Levis’ future in Tennessee in doubt.
OTAs continue in Nashville this week. Levis has understandably been peppered with questions about the team drafting Ward and the impact it has on his situation. Levis pulled no punches, admitting “it sucks.”
The Titans added two veteran quarterbacks in free agency, signing Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. Their additions only led to more speculation about Levis’ future. Allen played under Brian Callahan in Cincinnati, indicating he, not Levis, would be a better backup quarterback for Ward to learn the offense from.
Callahan and Nick Holz have also been answering questions about Levis’ future. They’re saying all the right things to maintain secrecy. Callahan and Holz claim to be pleased with Levis’ offseason, saying he’s returned as a better, more mature quarterback this offseason.
The general expectation is that the Titans will eventually trade Levis this offseason. It’s fair to ask if that’s the right decision. Regardless of Levis’ lackluster 2024 season, a quarterback of his physical abilities is a bargain on a rookie contract signed through 2026.
The two remaining years on Levis’ rookie contract carry a base salary of under $1.2 million apiece. From a salary cap perspective, Levis’ scheduled charges are for $2.6 and $3 million, according to Over The Cap. That makes holding onto him a realistic possibility.
Again, regardless of his nightmare 2024 campaign, Levis is a more effective quarterback than Allen and Boyle. Allen is a mid 30s journeyman quarterback who is 2-8 in 10 career starts. Boyle has thrown five career touchdowns versus 13 interceptions.
Are the Titans willing to deal with the inevitable distraction? As long as Levis remains on the roster throughout OTAs and training camp, reporters will take advantage of every opportunity to ask questions about his standing with the team. That’s up to Callahan and Borgonzi to navigate, should they choose.