The Tennessee Titans' start to the 2024 NFL season has been less than ideal, as they find themselves at 0-2 following a disappointing 24-17 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2. Central to the Titans' struggles has been the play of second-year quarterback Will Levis, whose risk-taking reputation has already reared its head multiple times this season.
Levis Under Fire
In the latest game, Levis committed a crucial error, throwing a pass to running back Tyjae Spears that resulted in a fumble. The Jets promptly capitalized on this miscue, a recurring theme early in the Titans' season. Offensive coordinator Callahan did not mince words in his postgame press conference, labeling the decision as "dumb."
Levis acknowledged his coach's critique, understanding the emotional nature of the response. "He told us straight off, he's not a yeller and screamer, but he can be and there's certain situations that allow for that, and that definitely was one of those situations," Levis said. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
Lessons in Adversity
This season, Levis' predilection for high-risk plays has been a double-edged sword. In the first two games alone, he has recorded three interceptions and two fumbles. These worrying statistics have not gone unnoticed, both inside and outside the organization. Analysts have speculated that this same recklessness contributed to his fall to the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Levis himself has admitted that his aggressive style was a factor in college and is something he has been working to adjust. "I think a lot of people, when they hear gunslinger, they think about recklessness. 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," Levis revealed. "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. I was proud of how I was able to protect it a little more than I did in my college years."
Striving for Improvement
The young quarterback is showing signs of maturity in his responses to criticism and his willingness to acknowledge his flaws. After the game, he expressed shared frustration over his mistakes and highlighted the importance of moving forward. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me," Levis shared. "I know it's an emotional response that we all have after things like that. We were right back to it, and he 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. I don't have any problem with how he handled himself."
Despite the rocky start, the Titans have clear aspirations for the season. According to Levis, "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run." Given the stakes, the team's ability to bounce back from early setbacks will be crucial. Their immediate challenge comes this Sunday, as they host the Green Bay Packers.
Next Matchup: Packers without Love
The upcoming game against the Packers offers a glimmer of hope for the Titans. Green Bay will be without their starting quarterback Jordan Love, who is sidelined with an injury. Backup Malik Willis will be stepping in, potentially giving the Titans’ defense an opportunity to capitalize on an inexperienced opponent.
For the Titans, and particularly for Levis, the match against the Packers represents a pivotal moment. It’s a chance to course-correct, to make the "dumb" plays a thing of the past, and to work toward the playoff run they are aiming for. As the season progresses, the young quarterback’s ability to adapt and make smarter decisions on the field will be under intense scrutiny.
In this high-stakes environment, the emerging narrative around Levis and his team will be one to watch closely. Whether he can transition from learning from mistakes to leading his team to victories remains the critical question as the 2024 NFL season unfolds.