On Tuesday afternoon, news broke that the Titans were making a quarterback change for the second time this season. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Tennessee is benching Will Levis for the near term as they finish the reprehensibly poor 2024 season. Backup Mason Rudolph will start against hated AFC South rival Indianapolis on Sunday. Unlike last time, when the Titans made a significant change in the game’s most essential and key position, this incident was due to performance-related reasons.
The Tennessee #Titans are planning to make a switch at quarterback this week, source told ESPN.
Mason Rudolph is the logical candidate to step in for starter Will Levis, who likely heads to the bench barring surprise.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 17, 2024
Tennessee Titans Make Significant Change At Key Position
Levis was benched after a horrendous showing against the Bengals last Sunday, which resulted in multiple turnovers. In the second half, Rudolph came on in relief and led the Titans’ offense to 13 points in limited action. The former Pittsburgh starter played efficiently, going 21/26 for 209 yards and two touchdowns, with one poorly timed interception.
In the postgame press conference, Brian Callahan was less ardent in his defense of Levis. During Monday’s press conference, Coach Callahan said he would meet with the team’s decision-makers to settle the quarterback spot. He also doubled down on his Monday comments to further bolster his point.
#Titans‘ Callahan: Potential benefit of moving away from Levis is that guys in the locker room want to feel that all players are held accountable.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) December 16, 2024
In addition to the comments, Levis said that during the postgame press availability, the offensive-minded Callahan didn’t inform him of his benching. Instead, quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree performed that unenviable duty. As local beat writer Terry McCormick speculates, the quarterback’s injuries may have impacted his turnovers.
I think Will Levis’ shoulder was re-aggravated on that foiled read option play. Was throwing the ball well before that. Since then, 2 terrible throws that have been picked. After the series, he was throwing on sideline and flexing shoulder, and Mason Rudolph had his helmet on.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) December 15, 2024
What’s Next For Tennessee at Quarterback?
Levis will serve as Rudolph’s backup. In four starts, Rudolph has thrown for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns to five interceptions. Trevor Siemian continues as the emergency third-string quarterback. As speculated on Sunday, Levis’s benching catalyzes the end of his time as the unquestioned starter in Nashville.
Barring injury and/or ineffective play from Rudolph, Levis will not return as the starter this season. If he does, Callahan runs the risk of losing the locker room. Perhaps the time off will recalibrate Levis for the better, but he has shown what he is—an inconsistent, reckless passer with a big arm and an inability to read the field properly.
Depending on how the franchise ends the season, one or both of Ran Carthon and Callahan may not return for the 2025 season. According to many in the league, the quarterback options via the draft and free agency are dire. The days of Levis returning as the starter are finished. He will likely return in 2025 due to his cheap rookie deal, but could the team find a suitor who thinks they could resuscitate his stalled career?
Main Photo: [Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean] – USA Today Sports
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