With Cam Ward in line to be the starting quarterback in 2025, the writing is on the wall for Will Levis' future with the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans currently have four quarterbacks under contract: Cam Ward, Will Levis, Brandon Allen, and Tim Boyle. That pointed to Levis being a candidate to be traded during the 2025 NFL Draft. Nothing came of those rumors and GM Mike Borgonzi said in his post-draft press conference on Monday that there was no attempt to trade Levis over draft weekend.
According to Borgonzi, Levis brings a lot of value to Tennessee's quarterback room because he brings competition. "It's a lot of value. I think there's going to be competition in every room, and he elevates the competition in that room. That's what we're trying to do here as we get into training camp, is have the best 90-man roster, best competition in every room. And Will (Levis) certainly provides that," Borgonzi said.
Borgonzi is saying the right thing
Do I believe that the Titans didn't attempt to trade Levis at all during the draft? Not a chance. But of course, this is the right thing for Borgonzi to say.
Tennessee wants to keep Levis as happy as possible. They also want to keep as much leverage as possible in future trade negotiations.
If you make it public that you tried to move Levis and had no takers, everyone knows that you're desperate to get rid of him. That drives an already underwhelming price down even further.
In reality, it is better for both Levis and the Titans if a trade partner is found. Levis needs a fresh start. He needs a new organization and coaching staff to invest in him. He needs to be set free of expectations and grow as a player in an organization that doesn't come with noise.
That very noise is what the Titans are trying to limit. 2025 should be all about Cam Ward. The last thing Tennessee needs is Will Levis cresting competition and controversy in the quarterback room. Set him free and move in a new direction. Start this new era of Titans football with a clean break. It's exactly what the Titans did last season with Malik Willis at the end of training camp.
Levis is on the Malik Willis path
I think Levis will ultimately end up with the same fate that Malik Willis had in 2024.
When the Titans first opened 2024 training camp, Ran Carthon, Brian Callahan, and the entire coaching staff went to great lengths to publicly praise Malik Willis for all the ways he had improved.
We heard about how he was more decisive in the pocket, a more confident leader, and how Willis was just scratching the surface of what he was capable of. I gave him rave reviews from his performance during an open practice at Nissan Stadium.
Willis played a lot during the preseason and completed 20 of 27 passes for 205 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Will also had 101 yards on the ground.
All of that was enough to slightly shift the narrative about Willis' career. It made him appear valuable. So much so that the Titans were able to find a trade partner and send him to the Green Bay Packers for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
I'm expecting much of the same for Levis this fall. The Titans will bring him to camp and continue to talk about how improved and valuable he is, much like Borgonzi did on Monday. Levis will get to play in the preseason and will take a lot of practice reps over Allen and Boyle. Tennessee will try to increase his value and capitalize on the market towards the end of camp when teams are setting final 53-man rosters.
But just like Willis, I expect Levis to be traded before Week 1 as the Titans move in a different direction.
