Titans should look at recent NFL history when solving it’s franchise QB dilemma

Before long, the Tennessee Titans will have to make a franchise-altering decision about their future at quarterback.

25-year-old Will Levis has looked much improved since returning from injury and is currently on the trajectory to have a strong back half of his second NFL campaign. But even with Levis performing well, the Titans are sitting at 2-8 with a difficult strength of schedule the rest of the way.

Tennessee is currently projected to have the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That could give the organization an opportunity to either A.) Replace Levis with a top QB in the rookie class or B.) Trade the pick, acquire a haul of assets, and give Levis another year.

NOTE: (I suppose there's another scenario where Tennessee keeps Levis and the pick, but selects a non-quarterback like Travis Hunter or Tetairoa McMillan)

There are pros and cons to both sides. It's not an easy decision, but it's a decision that will undoubtedly decide the fate of Brian Callahan, Ran Carthon, and the rest of this regime. Getting it right is paramount, and the Titans should look at recent NFL history to solve the problem.

After the 2022 NFL season, the 3-14 Chicago Bears had the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago lost 10 in a row to end the season, but grew impressed by young quarterback Justin Fields along the way. 

In Fields' final 10 games, he totaled 1,563 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 949 rushing yards, and 7 rushing TDs.

There was a lot to work with...But the Bears were also looking at a chance to reset the clock on the QB's contract by drafting Bryce Young and moving on from Fields. 

In the end, the Bears decided to roll with their guy and test fate for another year while acquiring a haul of assets in a trade. Chicago traded the first overall pick (Bryce Young) to Carolina for WR D.J. Moore and picks that would change the trajectory of the franchise. Here's a full recap of the trade. 

Carolina Gets:

2023 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick (Bryce Young)

Chicago Gets:

2023 NFL Draft No. 9 overall pick (traded down one slot, selected OT Darnell Wright)

2023 NFL Draft No. 61 overall pick (CB Tyrique Stevenson)

2024 NFL Draft first round pick (turned into the No. 1 overall pick and QB Caleb Williams)

2025 NFL Draft second round pick

WR D.J. Moore

While Fields never developed into the franchise quarterback the Bears were hoping, the trade allowed Chicago to hedge its bet. One year later, the Bears drafted Caleb Williams. But lost in this resounding success is...questionable process from the Bears?

The only reason Chicago was able to land Caleb Williams was because the Carolina Panthers bottomed out in the following season. Bryce Young was NOT the guy. But what would have happened if Carolina had gotten it right and selected C.J. Stroud instead? They don't finish 2-15 in 2023. They don't have the number one overall pick being sent to the Bears. 

Therefore, the Bears don't land Caleb Williams and get stuck back in QB purgatory while hoping Fields takes the next step. 

All this to say, the Bears/Panthers trade is a perfect reference for what the Titans should do this offseason. If Will Levis continues to look improved during the back half of the 2024 schedule and this draft class is considered to be weak at the quarterback position (it's not currently thought of very highly), you can trade out of your spot, get a haul of draft picks to reset your franchise, and see where you're at next year. 

But if you believe Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward is a difference maker as a rookie, it doesn't really matter what you think about Will Levis. You draft the rookie, reset, and starting building around him. It only worked for the Bears because they accurately scouted Bryce Young and felt comfortable moving the pick.

So yes, how the Titans feels about Sanders and Ward is more important than how they feel about Levis. 

It sounds simple enough, but this is the process and decision that all 32 franchises have struggled with at some point. Get it right and you'll be a contender for years to come. Get it wrong and everyone's out of a job before long.