Titans QB Will Levis admits he needs to grow as leader

Will Levis enjoyed the initial high of winning his first start with the Titans. But now comes the hard part. The rookie quarterback has to absorb losing.

Since he helped lead Tennessee to a 28-23 victory over Atlanta, he’s started games that ended in a 20-16 loss to the Steelers and then a 20-6 defeat to the Bucs. He went from throwing four touchdowns against the Falcons to struggling to struggling for field goals against Tampa Bay.

The 24-year-old who is a veteran of all of three games now is trying to be a better leader for the rest of his Titans teammates. And that includes upping his own game after he replaced 35-year-old Ryan Tannehill as the full-time starter.

“At the very least, if you want to be a good leader you have to be someone who leads by example,” Levis told Jim Wyatt via the Titans website. “And works hard and does the right things and is able to be someone that people can come to and ask questions to.

“I feel like in everything that I’ve done, I’ve always wanted to be at the forefront, in the (driver’s) seat,” he said. “I think I have that innate ability to bring others with me. It’s a tough job to have, but I like having the tough jobs. It’s just kind of how I’m wired, I guess, and I have to keep finding ways to be a better leader.”

Titans play back-loaded schedule against best of AFC South teams

The Titans need a leader. Tennessee is 3-6. The Titans take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville. And the team has yet to win a road game, going 0-5 in 2023. Plus, it’s only Tennessee’s second divisional game. Their season is backloaded with games against the rest of the AFC South, including a pair of games against the Jaguars and the upstart Texans.

By design, Levis is the guy fellow teammates will look to for guidance, at least on offense.

“I have to be a leader,” Levis said Wednesday, via Jim Wyatt of the team’s website. “My leadership role has to step up. I have to instill confidence in these guys, regardless of who it is, whatever five is out there, that they know I have my full trust in them.

“I have to do a better job as a leader of bringing them along.”

This is the year of the rookie quarterback in the NFL. Ten have started at least one game. Back in April, Levis slipped through the first round. But the Titans selected the former Kentucky standout with the second pick of the second round. That made him the fourth quarterback picked in the draft. The results generated by the three quarterback choices who went before him are mixed. CJ Stroud, with the Texans, is the definitive leader for offensive rookie of the year. Bryce Young, the top pick, starts for the one-win Panthers. Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson, who the Colts picked at No. 4, is on injured reserve.

Levis probably needs to up his completion percentage. He’s at 56 percent. After throwing for four touchdowns in his debut, he hasn’t tossed one in the two losses. Plus, there are his two interceptions, including one late in the loss to the Steelers.