The Tennessee Titans have stumbled out of the gate in the 2024 NFL season, recording back-to-back losses to start the campaign. Following a 24-17 defeat at the hands of the New York Jets, Tennessee now sits at a disheartening 0-2. Amidst the chaos, one incident stood out—a pivotal mistake by quarterback Will Levis that has drawn widespread criticism and self-reflection alike.
Costly Turnover
During the crucial moments of their clash against the Jets, Levis made a questionable pass to Tyjae Spears, leading to a disastrous fumble. The Jets capitalized on the turnover, transforming the error into an advantage that ultimately helped secure their victory. Offensive coordinator Callahan did not mince words during his postgame press conference, denouncing the decision as "dumb."
Levis' Risk-Taking Reputation
Will Levis’ penchant for taking risks has been well-documented, a trait that some analysts believe contributed to his fall to the 33rd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. His first two games of the season have done little to quell those concerns, with Levis already having recorded three interceptions and two fumbles.
Levis himself acknowledged the need for better decision-making, admitting his own frustration. "He told us straight off, he's not a yeller and screamer, but he can be and there's certain situations that allow for that, and that definitely was one of those situations," Levis said. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
Moments of Reflection
Reflecting on the tumultuous play, Levis shared, "I know it's an emotional response that we all have after things like that. We were right back to it, and he had confidence in me on the next play taking that shot. That was cool to feel, coming back on the field after that turnover, even though we had another one after that. I don't have any problem with how he handled himself."
The young quarterback is no stranger to this type of scrutiny. "I think a lot of people, when they hear gunslinger, they think about recklessness. I definitely feel like I was a little too reckless in my college career and tried to make some throws that I would want to take back," Levis said. However, he added that he has endeavored to adopt a more cautious approach since advancing to the professional level. "Just realizing at the level that I was playing at where I had to be that much more careful with the ball. I was proud of how I was able to protect it a little more than I did in my college years."
Titans’ Playoff Aspirations
Despite the rocky start to the season, Levis remains hopeful about the Titans' prospects. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," he asserted. This optimism might just be the rallying cry the team needs as they look to turn their season around.
Facing the Packers
The Titans will have their next opportunity to alter their course this Sunday when they host the Green Bay Packers. In their favor, the Packers will be without their starting quarterback, Jordan Love, who will be sidelined due to injury. Malik Willis is set to fill in as the signal-caller for Green Bay, providing a potential opening for Tennessee to notch their first win of the season.
Levis' response to both external criticism and his own self-reflection points to a level of maturity beyond his years. While the Titans’ start has been less than stellar, the young quarterback's willingness to confront and learn from his mistakes could serve as a foundation for future success.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Levis to see if he can balance his risk-taking flair with the prudence required for sustained success in the NFL. For the Titans, achieving their goal of a playoff run hinges on this delicate equilibrium and the quarterback’s evolution as a leader on and off the field.