Is there a quarterback competition going on behind Tannehill? If you would have asked me who the backup quarterback for the Titans would be after the draft, I would have said Will Levis with no hesitation. However, now I would hesitate.
The perception going into OTAs and minicamp was that Levis was going to be better than Willis. Mostly, I think because of the systems they played in college. Not to mention, Willis’ play last season when he came in to play for an injured Tannehill, left much to be desired.
Will Levis coming from a pro-style offense at the university of Kentucky, where he played a run heavy offense where most of his snaps came from under center both years he was there. That’s why it’s so puzzling as to why he has had so many center exchange problems. His big arm has never been in question, but his accuracy was one of the points for his critics.
It hasn’t been a huge problem, because he is a rookie in minicamp and that’s when you want to see these mistakes. Not on the field. However, three interceptions on the last day of camp didn’t help matters.
Malik Willis coming from a small school, where the competition might not be as high a school in the SEC. Perception of him after the draft was a player with raw talent who needed a couple years to develop into a starting quarterback in the NFL. Unfortunately, he didn’t get that, because as I mentioned before Tannehill got injured and the Titans decided to try Willis out. He didn’t do well, which should have been expected, but his numbers were pretty bad. He made his first appearance in week two as the game became out of reach and Tannehill was benched. He had one completion on four attempts and rushed for sixteen yards in a 41-7 loss. He started two more game in week 8 and week 9. His number were not good in either of those games. Not just the stats, but looked just lost at times. His overall numbers for the season was 31 completions on 61 passing attempts for 279 yards 0 touchdowns 3 interceptions 10 sacks for 49 yards and 3 fumbles. He also had 27 attempts for 123 yards and 1 touchdown rushing.
The Titans were so disheartened by Willis’ starts they claimed Joshua Dobbs from the Lions practice squad. The same week he was named the starter. Which shows the lack of confidence they had for Wills. Dobbs, even though he had much less time to prepare, outperformed Willis so bad he started the final game which decided the fate of our postseason lives. In two games he had 40 completions on 68 attempts for 411 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions 6 sacks for 26 yards and 4 fumbles. He also had 8 attempts for 44 yards and 0 touchdowns rushing.
The interesting part to this is Wills did exactly what he needed to do. Make massive improvements in the offseason. So far in OTAs and minicamp he show poise, accuracy, a quicker delivery, and most importantly much improved footwork. It also helps Willis’ case that the final practice the Titans held was probably his best yet. He threw 3 touchdowns and ended practice with one of them.
If this narrative continues through training camp and preseason like this, with Levis struggling and Willis thriving, well then Willis should be the backup quarterback.
