Titans part ways with Will Levis after three seasons, potential landing spots for QB

The Tennessee Titans will waive quarterback Will Levis as the team continues to trim its roster down to 53 players, per ESPN. 

The former second-round pick out of Kentucky had been demoted to third-string behind No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and free-agent addition Mitch Trubisky. Levis played the entire first half of Tennessee’s preseason finale against the Chicago Bears on Saturday night, completing 14 of 22 passes for 143 yards, but it wasn’t enough for the Titans to find a willing trade partner. 

Levis stepped into the starting lineup as a rookie back in 2023 and showed some promise while going 3-6. He threw four touchdowns in his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons, which tied the NFL record for most passing touchdowns in an NFL debut, and later led the Titans to one of the most improbable upsets of the 2023 season against the Miami Dolphins, coming back from down 14 points in the final three minutes against a team that was double-digit favorites. All while operating behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. 

Levis entered 2024 as the unquestioned starter, and someone who could benefit from a splashy offseason that included the additions of wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and center Lloyd Cushenberry. However, the 2024 campaign was a disaster, as Tennessee finished with the worst record in the NFL at 3-14, while Levis won just two starts. He recorded the highest percentage of plays with a sack, fumble or interception (16.3%) since JaMarcus Russell back in 2009, according to CBS Sports Research. The Titans earned the No. 1 overall pick and used it on a new quarterback in Ward.

“Very grateful,” Levis said after Saturday’s final preseason game while reflecting on his time in Nashville. “Very, very grateful. I mean, Miss Amy brought me in here and welcomed me with open arms, as did everyone else here in Nashville with the team, and I was able to grow a lot over the couple of seasons we had while I was playing here. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.” 

Levis does have some qualities that teams love in a quarterback. He possesses a legitimate NFL arm, for example, but decision-making has been an issue. You can’t win football games with a quarterback who’s prone to turning the ball over, and that has to change. Levis’ NFL story is not over, but his Nashville chapter has ended. 

With that said, let’s examine a few potential landing spots for the “Mayo man” with the golden arm:

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars just traded for a new backup for Trevor Lawrence in Quinn Ewers, as they sent a future sixth-round pick to the Dolphins for the Texas kid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the Liam Coen connection here. 

Coen was Levis’ offensive coordinator and QBs coach at Kentucky in 2021. That year, Levis had his best collegiate season, throwing for 2,827 yards, 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. It led to him being mocked as the No. 1 overall pick in a future draft. However, Coen left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Levis’ senior season was disappointing. The Jaguars, of course, don’t need another quarterback, but Levis is an interesting rehabilitation project. Coen may be the one coach who can get the most out of Levis. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback, who could potentially be playing in his final season with the franchise, and then undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels out of Kansas backing him up. Daniels beat out Jake Browning for the No. 2 job. 

Levis would add some experience to this room behind Mayfield, and could be a candidate to take over in Tampa Bay should the 2026 season go totally awry.

Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell’s next rehabilitation project? Sure, he’s got Kyler Murray to worry about right now, but despite all of the memes and turnovers, Levis is a candidate to become the next Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones. As I write this, J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer are still on the roster. If Minnesota parts ways with both players and wants to add a third quarterback, Levis would be an intriguing option. 

New York Jets

The New York Jets have a new starting quarterback in Geno Smith, a new rookie signal-caller in Cade Klubnik, and then Brady Cook. If New York wants to move on from Cook, Levis should be an option for Aaron Glenn. 

The future of the Jets’ quarterback position is unclear, and Levis is now a veteran with starting experience who will benefit from a change of scenery. He could learn from a veteran like Smith and an offensive coordinator like Frank Reich. Plus, the Titans host the Jets in the season opener. Levis could lend some insight into how Brian Daboll is running this new offense.