The Tennessee Titans faced a challenging start to their 2024 NFL season, dropping to 0-2 after a 24-17 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2. The game was marred by a critical error from quarterback Will Levis, whose pass to Tyjae Spears led to a fumble that the Jets capitalized on.
The aftermath of the game saw offensive coordinator Callahan openly criticize Levis's decision-making. "It was a dumb decision," Callahan stated in the postgame press conference, pointing to a pattern that has characterized Levis's short professional career thus far. Despite Levis's raw talent and high expectations, his tendency for high-risk plays has come under scrutiny.
Levis and His Risk-Taking Approach
Will Levis has built a reputation for his risk-taking style, a trait that both thrills and concerns his coaches and fans. His aggressive approach was a double-edged sword in college, where he admitted to being "a little too reckless." This was a contributing factor to his slide to the 33rd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Reflecting on his college years, Levis said, "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." However, he also noted a shift in his mentality. "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."
Learning and Growing
Levis's understanding of the need for better decision-making became evident in his self-reflection post-game. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way [Callahan] was yelling at me," Levis revealed, highlighting his personal accountability. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
Levis's candid admission was clear. "We were right back to it, and [Callahan] 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."
Piling Pressure
The scrutiny under which Levis operates is intense, particularly as he leads a team with ambitions as high as those of the Titans. In the first two games of the season alone, Levis has thrown three interceptions and fumbled twice—statistics that underscore the need for rapid improvement. Despite the challenges, Levis remains committed to the team's overarching goal: "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," he stated emphatically.
Upcoming Challenges
The Titans' path to redemption begins with their upcoming game against the Green Bay Packers. However, the Packers will be without their starting quarterback, Jordan Love, due to injury. Malik Willis will step in, providing a potential advantage for the Titans. Whether Levis can capitalize on this and lead his team to their first win of the season remains to be seen.
The sentiment within the Titans' camp is cautious but hopeful. Levis's response to criticism and his willingness to learn and adapt shows a level of maturity that bodes well for his future. His words convey a player who is acutely aware of the stakes and determined to rise to the occasion.
As he summed up after the game, "I think a lot of people, when they hear gunslinger, they think about recklessness. I was proud of how I was able to protect [the ball] a little more than I did in my college years."
For the Titans, the crucial element moving forward will be harnessing Levis's undeniable talent while curbing the recklessness that has haunted his early career. The season is young, and there is ample time for growth and improvement. By acknowledging his mistakes and striving for better decision-making, Levis may well turn his and the Titans' fortunes around.