The Tennessee Titans are experiencing a tumultuous start to their 2024 NFL campaign, falling to 0-2 after a 24-17 defeat at the hands of the New York Jets in Week 2. Key moments in these early games have magnified the growing pains of an offense led by the young and daring quarterback, Will Levis.
In this most recent outing, Levis' predilection for high-risk plays became a double-edged sword. A crucial error ensued when Levis attempted a pass to running back Tyjae Spears, culminating in a fumble that the Jets capitalized on to widen their lead. Offensive Coordinator Callahan didn’t hold back in his postgame critique, bluntly labeling the decision "dumb."
Levis, in a show of maturity, echoed his coach’s sentiments. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me," Levis revealed. "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 has indeed developed a reputation for taking risks—a characteristic that has both dazzled and confounded analysts. With three interceptions and two fumbles already recorded in the first two games, the Titans face an urgent need to find a balance between Levis' aggressive style and more judicious decision-making.
Levis' introspection points to a conscious effort to evolve past his college days, where a gunslinger mentality often led to hasty decisions. "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. I changed that mentality a bit in my play last year. 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," he explained.
Selected 33rd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Levis was well aware of his critics and the perception of his style influencing his draft stock. Many analysts argue that his penchant for risk-taking contributed to his fall in the draft. Yet, the Titans saw enough potential in Levis to entrust him with the keys to their offense, hoping his dynamic play could spearhead a playoff run this season—a goal Levis himself has voiced. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," he stated.
However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The upcoming clash against the Green Bay Packers provides another stern test for Levis and the Titans. The Packers, though missing their starting quarterback Jordan Love due to injury, will present a formidable defense with Malik Willis stepping in at quarterback.
The Titans' early-season struggles have highlighted both the promise and the pitfalls of relying on a young, developing quarterback. Levis' capability to respond to criticism and ownership of his errors suggest a level of maturity vital for his and the team’s growth. As he continues to adapt to the professional game's demands, finding the delicate balance between boldness and caution will be paramount.
"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."
For the Titans, navigating these growing pains while staying focused on their playoff ambitions will require resilience and strategic adjustments. Levis' evolution as a quarterback—shifting from his collegiate gunslinger persona to a more calculated playmaker—will be a significant determinant of the team’s fortunes this season.