What does it say about a team when the biggest battle of training camp is at backup quarterback? In true Titans fashion, the battle was even cut short due to injury. With Will Levis down for the last two preseason games, Malik Willis had every opportunity to grab the QB2 spot and run with it.
Titans’ fans will argue until they’re blue in the face about a lot of things. This position battle is no different. The fact of the matter is that nothing is settled on the backup quarterback position in Nashville. Coach Mike Vrabel noted that Will Levis will be back this week, where the battle will continue. Answering the same post-game question, Coach Vrabel pointed out Willis’ turnovers against the Patriots but added “A lot of pretty cool things happened after that” (per Paul Kuharsky and Turron Davenport).
Malik’s Preseason
Willis had his ups and downs this preseason. He finished with 41 completions out of 62 attempts, 355 passing yards, 130 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. A few of those incompletions were from some pretty egregious drops (another argument for Titans’ fans). Nonetheless, Willis looked much improved from last season. It is easy to see the improvement, while it is also easy to see the need for more improvement.
Per Paul Kuharsky and Turron Davenport
Where do the Titans go from here?
The direction the Titans go in the post-Tannehill era will depend on the type of offense they want to run. The offense now caters to quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill and Will Levis. It is not a system that plays to Malik Willis’ strengths. This question will be easier to answer heading into next season, as we will see who the Titans add (and retain) on the offensive side of the ball.
It would be in everyone’s best interest for the battle to be put on the backburner until training camp next season. No matter how you feel about him, Ryan Tannehill is easily the best option of the three this season. Plus, you don’t pay a QB over $30 million to sit on the bench. There are a plethora of question marks heading into next season. There will be plenty to argue about during training camp then. For now, though, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the 2023-24 season!
