The Tennessee Titans find themselves in a challenging position early in the 2024 NFL season, having dropped to 0-2 following a 24-17 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2. Amidst the scrutiny, quarterback Will Levis has found himself at the center of the storm.
Costly Mistakes on the Field
In a critical moment against the Jets, Levis threw a pass to running back Tyjae Spears, which resulted in a fumble. The Jets capitalized on this turnover, compounding the Titans' woes. Offensive coordinator Callahan did not mince words in his postgame press conference, labeling the decision as "dumb."
Levis' reputation for taking risks has been a double-edged sword. He acknowledged the need for better decision-making, accepting responsibility for the error. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me," Levis revealed. "I know it's an emotional response that we all have after things like that."
Early Struggles and Self-Reflection
Levis' struggles aren't isolated to the recent game. In the first two games of the season, he has recorded three interceptions and two fumbles, highlighting a pattern that analysts point to as a reason for his drop in the 2023 NFL Draft, where he was selected 33rd overall. Levis himself admitted, "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."
Despite these setbacks, Levis has shown signs of maturity through his response to the criticism. "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 about Callahan's criticism. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
Aiming for Improvement
Levis remains firm in his resolve to improve. He emphasized the need to protect the football better and adapt his play to the professional level. "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," he noted.
Such self-awareness is crucial for Levis as the Titans aim for a playoff run. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," Levis stated. This ambition will require not just individual improvement but a collective effort to overcome the early-season adversity.
Challenges Ahead
As the Titans prepare to host the Green Bay Packers this Sunday, they will face a team without its starting quarterback, Jordan Love. Malik Willis will step in due to injury, potentially providing the Titans with an opportunity to turn their season around. Levis' performance will be under scrutiny, and a solid showing could help restore confidence in both his leadership and the team's direction.
Reflecting on the confidence shown in him post-fumble, Levis described, "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."
For Levis and the Titans, the journey ahead is fraught with challenges. However, the quarterback's capacity for self-reflection and his willingness to learn from mistakes provide a glimmer of hope. The upcoming game against the Packers may prove pivotal in altering the course of their season.