Titans face QB questions as team looks to the future
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Titans quarterback Will Levis. Photo: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
The trade of veteran safety Kevin Byard on Monday signals the Titans are pivoting from contending for the playoffs this season to planning for the future.
Why it matters: The Titans are at an inflection point where the most logical strategy is to learn whether Will Levis or Malik Willis is the quarterback of the future.
- By trading Byard for draft choices and a player on an expiring contract, general manager Ran Carthon showed his cards: He's focused on the future.
- Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is dealing with an ankle injury, which, according to reports, means he's unlikely to play Sunday against the Falcons.
State of play: Levis, a rookie who surprisingly slipped to the second round in April's NFL draft, and Willis, a second-year pro, battled for the backup job during training camp.
- Willis has been the No. 2 quarterback so far and came in after Tannehill hurt his ankle during the team's loss to the Ravens in London on Oct. 15.
Yes, but: Willis turned in another uneven performance, indicating he's hardly cemented himself as next in line.
- It's worth remembering Levis missed time during training camp with an injury.
- Sam Phalen with A to Z Sports Nashville makes the case that the Titans should play Levis.
- "It made sense for Willis to be the backup to begin the season because of Levis' quad injury," Phalen writes. "But with Levis healthy and two full weeks to prepare for a home game against Atlanta, what better time to get a look at your rookie quarterback than now?"
The latest: Titans coach Mike Vrabel did little to clear things up Tuesday. He told reporters that if Tannehill can't play Sunday, he anticipates both Levis and Willis playing against the Falcons. It's rare for NFL teams to rotate quarterbacks.
What we're watching: Beyond the QB position, it's fair to wonder if Carthon is leaning toward a fire sale with other veteran players soon to be traded.
- Much of the speculation has centered around the Titans' lone star player, running back Derrick Henry. USA Today's Nate Davis reports Henry and other veterans could be on the trading block.
The bottom line: The Titans may not be winning on the field, but the QB drama and trade rumors have spiced up a bland season and shined the spotlight on Carthon to fix the team's roster.