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Mike Vrabel explains what Will Levis needs to do to earn backup quarterback job

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•08/14/23
NFL: Preseason-Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears
Aug 12, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) looks to pass in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans aren’t in need of a starting quarterback in 2023, with Ryan Tannehill set to fill that role. But they do need a quality backup quarterback and that’s where second-round draft pick Will Levis comes in.

Levis is competing with second-year quarterback Malik Willis.

Both split reps during the team’s first preseason game, which saw mixed results for both quarterbacks. Levis finished 9-of-14 for 85 yards with an interception.

Head coach Mike Vrabel explained what Levis needs to work on if he wants to earn the backup quarterback job.

“Just letting the game come to him, just take what’s there,” Vrabel said, according to TennesseeTitans.com. “Just trying to make sure we are not overdoing it, we are just playing one role, a large role as the quarterback in the offense – taking what they give you, and when there’s opportunities to work the ball down the field, do that. He did some nice things, and (he) would like to have some things back.”

The former Kentucky quarterback was nearly a first-round pick, selected with the No. 33 overall pick in the draft, the second choice in the second round.

He had a productive college career overall, but his 2022 season was marred by injury.

Tennessee is hoping a healthier Levis can turn into a quality quarterback starter in the league down the road. For now, though, he’s locked in a tight competition with Willis to be the backup quarterback.

Willis had a more impressive showing in that first preseason game, going 16-of-25 passing for 189 yards with an interception, while also adding three carries for 22 yards and a touchdown.

The interception was a ball that came off his receiver’s hands, and Vrabel sounded fairly impressed with Willis overall.

“I thought there was some composure,” Vrabel said. “There were some opportunities for him to run, and he ran. But he did a nice job when he did get out of the pocket keeping his eyes down the field and was able to be a thrower when he felt like there was something there. I am never going to restrict his ability to make plays with his feet, just be smart with the football.”

A backup quarterback for Tennessee in 2022, Willis was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, coming out of Liberty. He threw for 2,857 yards with 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his final season at Liberty.