The Tennessee Titans' 2024 NFL season is off to a disheartening start, as the team dropped to 0-2 following a 24-17 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2. Central to the Titans' struggles has been the performance of quarterback Will Levis, who made a critical error in the latest defeat.
Levis, the 33rd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, has garnered a reputation for a risk-taking approach, a trait that was on full display against the Jets. During a pivotal moment in the game, Levis threw a pass intended for Tyjae Spears that resulted in a fumble. The Jets capitalized on the turnover, further compounding the Titans' woes.
Offensive coordinator Callahan was candid in his postgame assessment of the play, criticizing Levis' decision as "dumb." Levis did not shy away from the criticism and acknowledged the need for better decision-making.
"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."
Levis' performance has been marred by turnovers, with three interceptions and two fumbles in the first two games of the season. His tendency for recklessness, noted by analysts as a contributing factor to his fall in the draft, seems to be a persistent issue.
Despite the rough start, Levis remains introspective about his play and the criticisms he faces. "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. 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."
Levis' self-awareness extends back to his college career, where he admits to having been "a little too reckless" with his throws. Reflecting on his growth, he shared, "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."
Looking ahead, the Titans have a clear objective for the season: securing a playoff berth. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," Levis stated. However, the path to achieving that goal seems fraught with challenges, especially if the team cannot mitigate turnover issues and tighten their overall gameplay.
In a twist to their next matchup, the Titans will host the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. The Packers will be without their starting quarterback, Jordan Love, with Malik Willis stepping in due to injury. This development potentially opens an opportunity for the Titans to notch their first win of the season, provided they can capitalize on the change and maintain discipline on the field.
Levis' ability to respond to coaching and criticism suggests a level of maturity that could serve him and his team well as the season progresses. However, the improvements need to be immediate and significant to reverse the team's fortunes. As the Titans prepare for their next battle, all eyes will be on Levis to see if he can harness his gunslinger mentality in a way that benefits his team rather than hinders it.