Will Levis Faces Scrutiny After Costly Mistake in Titans' Loss to Jets
The Tennessee Titans are off to a rocky start in the 2024 NFL season, dropping to 0-2 after a tough 24-17 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2. Central to this early-season struggle is rookie quarterback Will Levis, who made a pivotal error that cost the Titans dearly in their latest defeat.
During the game, Levis threw an ill-advised pass to running back Tyjae Spears, resulting in a fumble that the Jets capitalized on. This sequence brought visibly intense reactions from offensive coordinator Callahan, who didn't mince words about the mistake during his postgame press conference, calling the decision "dumb."
Levis, who has a reputation for his risk-taking approach, acknowledged the need for better decision-making. He remained composed despite Callahan's harsh criticism on the sideline. "He told us straight off, he's not a yeller and screamer, but he can be and there's certain situations that allow for that, and that definitely was one of those situations," Levis said. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
Far from deflecting responsibility, the rookie quarterback admitted that he shared his coach's frustration. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me," Levis revealed. "I know it's an emotional response that we all have after things like that. We were right back to it, and he had confidence in me on the next play taking that shot. That was cool to feel, coming back on the field after that turnover, even though we had another one after that. I don't have any problem with how he handled himself."
Levis' tendency to take risks has been a double-edged sword for the Titans. While he has shown flashes of brilliance that justify Tennessee's decision to pick him with the 33rd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, his penchant for turnovers has been a significant drawback. In the first two games of the season alone, Levis has thrown three interceptions and fumbled twice, raising concerns about his ability to protect the ball.
Reflecting on his college career, Levis admitted that he had been "a little too reckless," a characteristic that some analysts believe contributed to his fall in the draft. "I think a lot of people, when they hear gunslinger, they think about recklessness. I definitely feel like I was a little too reckless in my college career and tried to make some throws that I would want to take back. I changed that mentality a bit in my play last year. Just realizing at the level that I was playing at where I had to be that much more careful with the ball. I was proud of how I was able to protect it a little more than I did in my college years," Levis shared.
The Titans are counting on Levis to show significant improvement if they hope to make a playoff run this season, a goal the rookie quarterback has openly embraced. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," Levis stated. However, achieving that will require Levis to find a balance between his aggressive playmaking style and the necessary caution to avoid costly mistakes.
The road doesn't get any easier for Tennessee as they prepare to host the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. The Packers, currently 1-1, will be without their starting quarterback Jordan Love, with Malik Willis filling in due to injury. Despite this, the Titans will need to tighten their game plan and execution if they hope to secure their first victory of the season.
Levis' response to Callahan's criticism and his own self-reflection suggest a maturity beyond his years, an encouraging sign for Titans fans. The ability to take coaching in stride and learn from mistakes is crucial for any young quarterback looking to succeed in the NFL. While the start of his professional career has been rocky, Levis has shown the resilience and mindset needed to overcome these early challenges.
As the Titans move forward, all eyes will be on Levis to see if he can harness his undeniable talent while minimizing errors, leading his team to the success they aspire to this season.