The Tennessee Titans have finally made a move at quarterback, signing veteran Brandon Allen to a one-year contract for the 2025 season.
Allen joins Will Levis in Tennessee's QB room after former Titans QB Mason Rudolph returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year deal. It's not the big name backup acquisition that Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, or Joe Flacco would have been, but it makes a lot of sense for the Titans.
In 2024, Allen was the backup quarterback in San Francisco for Brock Purdy. He appeared in three games and made one start. Prior to his time with the 49ers, Allen was in Cincinnati as the backup to Joe Burrow. Titans head coach Brian Callahan was Allen's offensive coordinator when he played for the Bengals.
Competition for Will Levis
Assuming the Titans are on the path to select Cam Ward with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, I actually think Allen is the perfect QB addition for the Titans. This sets the bar for Will Levis in training camp. This creates a healthy competition for that backup quarterback job that will either result in Levis sinking or swimming.
Tennessee has indicated that they plan on bringing Levis to training camp with the team. In his season recap interview, Levis was remaining focused on his future with the Titans and intended to stay in Nashville. Over the offseason, Levis has been working out with private quarterbacks coach Jordan Palmer in California to improve his game.
Had the Titans signed Joe Flacco or Jameis Winston, you'd be cementing Levis' place as the QB3 and eliminating any real competition. But in a QB room of Ward, Allen, and Levis, whoever winds up as the QB3 could also be a candidate to be traded. It will look really similar to the battle between Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis in 2024 before Willis was sent to the Green Bay Packers.
I like the familiarity Callahan has with Allen. I like the bar being set for Will Levis. If you can't beat him out, you don't have a place on this team. But I also like Levis being given a chance to prove himself and not being counted out from Day 1 of training camp.
Cam Ward up next and the Titans' QB room will be complete.
