The Tennessee Titans will start a new chapter in their franchise's history this week by selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the number one overall pick.
The move will unofficially end Will Levis' two-year tenure as the team's quarterback of the future, but Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton believes that it is time to make the switch.
"On Thursday, the Will Levis era ends, and Ward will be in a position to become the Titans' franchise quarterback. He's set to enter the league with several years of collegiate starting experience, dating back to his 2020 term at Incarnate Word," Moton wrote.
"After two campaigns at Washington State, Ward put his arm talent on full display against top competition at Miami. He threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions and made the NCAA's All-American first team."
"In early mocks, analysts suggested that Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter could be the No. 1 overall pick. However, after Levis' turnover-ridden two seasons under center, the Titans cannot pass up an opportunity to take the best quarterback in the class," he continued.
The Titans finished 3-14 this past season, firing general manager Ran Carthon and replacing him with Mike Borgonzi.
In his first major move as general manager, Borgonzi is hand-picking the quarterback he wants to build around. That's a big commitment for Borgonzi to make so early in his tenure, but it's one he feels is best.
The Titans will now have their quarterback to build around, but they are far from finished. They will need the rest of the team to fill itself out over the next few years in order to take shape as a true contender in the NFL.
The Titans will select Ward and the rest of their rookie class between Thursday and Saturday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Titans Have Reason to Trade Will Levis
The Tennessee Titans will have a decision to make on quarterback Will Levis after the team takes Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft later this week.
The Titans could keep Levis as a high-end backup or someone who can even start as Ward learns the ropes a little bit in his transition to the NFL, or the team could trade him, as Bleacher Report contributor Kristopher Knox suggests.
"As a pro, Levis has made several highlight-reel plays with both his arm and his legs. At the same time, he has struggled with pre-snap recognition, working through progressions and ball security (26 turnovers in 21 games). There's likely at least one NFL coach, however, who believes that he can "fix" Levis' biggest issues," Knox writes.
"In a world where there are never enough starting-caliber quarterbacks, Levis has value. In a year that features a relatively underwhelming rookie quarterback class, he should also draw a fair bit of interest on the trade market."
Levis probably would be open to a trade that would afford him a better opportunity towards landing a starting job, but it remains to be seen if one materialzes. He has spoken at times about how he wants to play his entire career with the Titans, but a lot has changed since he initially arrived in Nashville.
The coach that drafted him, Mike Vrabel, is now with the New England Patriots and the general manager that brought him to Tennessee, Ran Carthon, has since been fired. His top advocates no longer being in the building hurts Levis and his development with the Titans, so a trade elsewhere to a team that truly wants him could be the best path forward for the third-year pro.
