Ryan Tannehill promises to help Will Levis, but 'it's hard' getting benched

The Titans named rookie Will Levis as their starting quarterback this week, leaving Ryan Tannehill to deal with the emotions of a demotion.

Tannehill is the former No. 1 draft pick who started for two different teams in his career. Those were the Dolphins and Titans. When he first arrived in Nashville in 2019, he did sit on the bench, briefly, then became QB1, leading the Titans to the AFC title game while earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

But 2023 likely feels different considering that Ryan Tannehill now is 35. He’s tied for oldest quarterback in the league with Matthew Stafford (Rams) and Russell Wilson (Broncos).

He took questions from reporters this week about what it feels like to lose a job.

“It hits hard,” Tannehill said. “I’ve never been in this situation before, never a situation that anyone wants to be in, but it’s a situation I’m in.”

Tannehill said coach Mike Vrabel told him Monday that he would no longer be the starter. Tannehill’s high ankle sprain he suffered last month opened the door for Will Levis, the Titans’ second-round draft pick from this past April. Vrabel told the team about the change on Tuesday and then revealed the news to the public. Tannehill still appears on the Titans’ injury list, although it has no update from Wednesday’s practice. ESPN reported that Tannehill did do some practice reps. Once he gets healthy enough, it’ll either be Tannehill or Malik Willis running the scout team.

The veteran quarterback said he’ll do what he can for Levis. “I’m going to be here to answer any questions he has and try to help him out along the way,” Tannehill said.

Will Levis’ sharp play made it easier to demote Ryan Tannehill

It seemed to be an obvious choice for Vrabel to switch from Ryan Tannehill to Will Levis. The rookie started the two games Tannehill couldn’t, throwing four touchdown passes to beat the Falcons. Although he had zero TD passes on the road against the Steelers, Levis stayed poised and had Tennessee in a position for the upset. The Steelers prevailed 20-16.

Levis also spoke with reporters, Wednesday, for the first time as the full-time starter. He mentioned the Bible verse he has tatooed on his arm. This Bible verse is the one about never giving up.

“It’s been my mantra since I can remember,” Levis said of the verse,  2nd Chronicles 15:7. “It’s an easy thing for me to look to, and to remind myself just to never give up, and to know that nothing in this life is ever going to come easy. And when you hit that bump in the road, to know that’s an opportunity to get better. Just keep a positive mindset about things sometimes when I get down, it’s a good way to bring me back to base.”

The Titans go on the road against the Bucs this Sunday, with a flip-flop in QB roles. Ryan Tannehill will be on the sidelines and Levis amongst the action.