The Tennessee Titans may soon face a decision about whether to bench second-year quarterback Will Levis. With the NFL reacting to the Carolina Panthers’ recent benching of 2023’s No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young, after just two games, some wonder if Levis might be the next young quarterback under pressure.
The Panthers have struggled in their first two games, leading new head coach Dave Canales to replace Young with veteran Andy Dalton. Meanwhile, the Titans, also 0-2, are dealing with their own quarterback issues as Levis has had a rough start to the season. His early-season performance has raised questions about his role moving forward.
In Week 2, Levis fumbled in the red zone against the New York Jets, visibly frustrating Titans coach Brian Callahan. Although Callahan praised Levis for his overall performance aside from the fumble, this turnover problem has been a recurring issue. In Week 1, Levis threw a costly pick-six in the fourth quarter, contributing to the Titans’ loss to the Chicago Bears after squandering a 17-point lead.
Despite these struggles, Levis has shown some improvement, completing 63.3 percent of his passes in the first two games—a step forward from his rookie season. However, his 319 passing yards place him 26th in the NFL, a statistic he will need to improve. In contrast, Bryce Young has struggled even more, with just 245 passing yards and three interceptions in two games, including a mere 84 yards in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Titans seem committed to giving Levis as many opportunities as possible to prove himself as their future franchise quarterback. While there is a capable veteran, Mason Rudolph, available as a backup, it appears that Levis will remain the starting quarterback for the time being. It would take significant setbacks for Callahan and the coaching staff to consider benching him.
