Former Packers QB Kurt Benkert breaks down Will Levis' breakout start

Kurt Benkert, although he never started a game in the NFL, knows quarterbacks. And call him super impressed with the debut of Will Levis, who threw four touchdown passes to beat the Falcons.

These days, Benkert is a social media NFL analyst. And he breaks down plays, explaining what impresses him and what doesn’t. Will Levis, the newest QB starter for Tennessee, was all about impressing. Steelers fans should pay attention, considering Levis and the Titans will play Pittsburgh tonight at Acrisure Stadium.

“By far the number one requested breakdown this week was Will Levis, rookie quarterback,” Benkert said, as he introduced the video. “First start four touchdowns went crazy let’s dive in and see exactly what happened and how it happened.”

Then Benkert brought up Levis’s first career touchdown.

Will Levis Breakdown (quick glance) pic.twitter.com/S9EenK3DLS

— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) November 1, 2023

Will Levis enjoyed historical debut against Falcons

Will Levis’ debut definitely was historical. His four touchdowns tied the NFL record for rookie quarterbacks in their first game. The other two who threw four are Pro Football Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton, who did so in 1961, and Marcus Mariota, who achieved it in 2015. Coincidentally, Mariota also did it with the Titans. Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel promoted Levis after starter Ryan Tannehill suffered a sprained ankle.

Let’s go to Benkert again, as he broke down more Levis film.

“I’m going to stop right here. Look at what he’s done for this offense. He’s like Tannehill 3.0. Tannehill had success in this offense. The fact that Will Levis is playing and is willing to stretch it deep and they’re willing to let him throw it deep, off rip, says a lot about this team. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them in a late wildcard run if he can keep this up.”

Late playoff run? The Titans definitely would take that. Tennessee selected Levis with the 33rd pick of April’s draft. Levis, who starred at Kentucky, was supposed to be a first-round pick. Instead, his stock started sliding until Tennessee snagged him two picks into the second round.

Levis, DeAndre Hopkins combined for three TDs

Now, back to Benkert again.

Levis “knows he’s got his guy DeAndre Hopkins. … He’s not gonna let it get picked, so he puts so much air on it that allows DeAndre Hopkins to come back and make a play. He doesn’t try to be perfect. He’s just giving his guys a chance. So many young guys would throw that ball, maybe out of bounds. But he’s overthrowing it like he’s just given his guy a chance. And it’s as simple as that. But you also have to have that kind of guy to be able to trust, too.

Benkert brings up Levis’s accuracy, saying it was a “question mark” in the pre-draft scouting reports. “He’s shown that he can make down-the-field throws accurately. He can throw across his body accurately and everything in between. I’m liking it.”

And as Benkert mentioned, DeAndre Hopkins, who signed with the Titans in training camp, had a nice connection with Will Levis. The quarterback threw Hopkins’ way six times. The receiver caught four of the passes, with three of them going for touchdowns of 47, 16 and 61 yards.

“They like what they have in this rookie quarterback and so does the team,” Benkert said.

He added: “Titans fans should be happy. Will Levis should be happy. And you know who else should be happy? Mike Vrabel, because he finally did it. He finally benched Tannehill. … But for all intents and purposes Tannehill is not playing anymore and his time in Tennessee is going to be done. And it should be because Will Levis is that guy.”