Titans name Will Levis starting QB

Rookie Will Levis is the Titans' new starting quarterback, coach Mike Vrabel announced Tuesday.

• Ryan Tannehill, who is recovering from an ankle injury, will be the backup.

Why it matters: The promotion of Levis signals a changing of the guard for the Titans, who haven't had a star quarterback since Steve McNair went to Baltimore in 2006.

What he's saying: "We think that's the best opportunity for our football team right now," Vrabel told reporters Tuesday at a press conference.

State of play: Levis turned in an outstanding debut, tossing four touchdowns in the team's win over the Falcons.

• He followed that up with a promising but uneven game in a narrow loss last week to the Steelers.

What we're watching: The AFC South is now a division led by young quarterbacks. The Colts and Texans also have rookies as their preferred starters, while Trevor Lawrence leads the Jaguars in his third year.

• The Titans (3-5) have five games remaining against division rivals.

Zoom out: Tannehill had a strong run with the starting job. He's played in 63 games over five seasons for the Titans.

• It's generally been a period of winning, though the team missed the playoffs last year and struggled in Tannehill's six starts this season.