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Levis Welcomes Titans QB Battle: ‘I’m Ready to Compete for Backup’
Will Levis Returns: A Fresh Mindset and a Quarterback Competition in Tennessee
The Big Picture
After sitting out an entire season for the first time since he was a kid, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is back on the field with a completely new outlook. He’s not just trying to win a job—he’s trying to enjoy the game again.
Important Point
Levis missed all of the 2024 season on Injured Reserve (IR). This was his first full year away from football since second grade. The time off changed how he thinks about the game and himself.
What Happened Last Season?
Here’s the quick version of the Titans’ 2024 season:
- Levis got hurt and was placed on Injured Reserve before training camp started.
- The team struggled without him, finishing with a 3-14 record (3 wins, 14 losses).
- That bad record gave them the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- They selected quarterback Cam Ward with that top pick.
Levis’s New Approach: "Just Having Fun"
When Levis spoke to reporters at training camp, he looked relaxed and confident. Here is what is different this time around:
The Mental Reset
- Calming the nervous system: Levis said he needed the time off to mentally recharge.
- No more seeking approval: Early in his career, he played to make other people happy. Now, he is focused on being the best version of himself.
- Processing emotions: Instead of bottling up feelings, he now addresses them and works through them.
The Confidence
Levis made a bold statement about where he ranks among NFL quarterbacks:
"I know I’ve put the tape out there already that I’m a dang good quarterback in this league and I’m even better than I ever have been. There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me. I know that for sure."
The Quarterback Room: A Three-Way Battle
The Titans didn’t just hand the job to Levis. They built a competitive room with three very different players.
1. Cam Ward — The Future (Starter)
- Status: Rookie, #1 Overall Draft Pick.
- Role: The clear QB1 (Starter). The franchise is building around him.
2. Mitch Trubisky — The Veteran Backup
- Contract: 2 years, $10.5 million.
- Experience: Former #2 overall pick; has started many games in the NFL.
- Connection: Worked with Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll in Buffalo (knows the playbook).
- Camp Status: Got most of the practice reps behind Ward on the first day.
3. Will Levis — The Challenger
- Experience: Entering Year 4 (but missed Year 3).
- 2023 Stats (Last time playing): 2,091 yards | 13 Touchdowns | 12 Interceptions.
- Goal: Win the QB2 (Backup) job.
- Mindset: "I can’t control the reps I get. I’m just trying to make the most of every opportunity."
What the Coach Sees
Head Coach Robert Saleh likes what he sees from Levis so far. He said Levis will get every opportunity to compete for the backup spot.
Coach Saleh’s Report Card on Levis:
- Competing his butt off
- Asking the right questions in meetings
- Trending in the right direction
Why This Matters for the Titans
| Position | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Starter (Ward) | The face of the franchise; needs reps to develop. |
| Backup (Trubisky vs. Levis) | Must be ready to win games immediately if Ward gets hurt. Trubisky offers safety/experience; Levis offers upside/arm talent. |
| Locker Room | Levis helping young players ("bring them along") shows leadership, regardless of his depth chart spot. |
Summary
- Will Levis is back after a lost 2024 season on Injured Reserve.
- He used the time off for a major mental health reset—focusing on fun, processing emotions, and playing for himself.
- The Titans drafted Cam Ward #1 overall to be the starter.
- They signed Mitch Trubisky as a high-paid, experienced backup who knows the offense.
- Levis is competing for the QB2 spot. He says he isn’t worried about limited practice reps; he’s focused on being ready when his number is called.
- Bottom Line: Levis believes he is a top-32 NFL quarterback. Now he has to prove it in practice against a veteran who knows the system.
FAQ
1. Why did Will Levis miss the entire 2024 season?
He was placed on Injured Reserve (IR) before training camp started due to an injury. NFL rules generally require a player on IR to miss at least four games, but in Levis’s case, he remained there for the full year.
2. Who is the starting quarterback for the Titans?
Cam Ward. He was the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans lost 14 games in 2024 specifically to earn the right to draft him.
3. Who is Mitch Trubisky and why did the Titans sign him?
Trubisky is a veteran quarterback (former #2 overall pick) who has started over 50 NFL games. The Titans signed him to a 2-year, $10.5M deal to be a reliable, experienced backup who already knows Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll’s system from their time together in Buffalo.
4. What were Will Levis’s stats the last time he played?
In the 2023 season (his last active year), Levis threw for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 9 games.
5. Can Will Levis still become the starter?
Not right now. Cam Ward is the declared franchise quarterback. Levis is competing for the backup (QB2) job. However, in the NFL, injuries happen. If Ward goes down, the backup becomes the starter. Levis is fighting to be that guy over Trubisky.
