The Tennessee Titans are facing a challenging start to the 2024 NFL season, with their record now at 0-2 following a 24-17 defeat against the New York Jets in Week 2. A critical error by quarterback Will Levis, who threw a pass that resulted in a fumble by Tyjae Spears, significantly impacted the game's outcome.
Offensive coordinator Callahan did not mince words when addressing the play in his postgame press conference, labeling the decision as "dumb." This moment underscored a pattern of risky decision-making by Levis, who has developed a reputation for a risk-taking approach on the field.
A Struggling Start for Levis
Will Levis, who was the 33rd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, has had a turbulent beginning to the season. In just the first two games, he has thrown three interceptions and fumbled twice. These costly errors have fueled criticism, which both reflects and adds to Levis' own frustrations. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me," Levis admitted. "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."
Despite these early setbacks, Levis displayed a level of maturity and self-awareness in 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 reflected. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
Learning from the Past
Levis has acknowledged that his natural gunslinger mentality contributed to a number of mistakes during his college career. "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 confessed. He emphasized that he has worked to amend this aspect of his play, aiming to protect the ball more effectively.
However, his risky tendencies, which some analysts believe contributed to his fall in the draft, are proving difficult to shake off. Levis himself admitted the challenge, noting, "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."
High Stakes for the Titans
The Titans have set clear ambitions for this season, aiming for a playoff run. However, their rocky start has raised questions about their ability to achieve this goal. The upcoming game against the Green Bay Packers, who will be missing their starting quarterback Jordan Love due to injury, represents a crucial opportunity for the Titans to bounce back. Malik Willis is set to fill in for Love, which might give the Titans an edge they desperately need.
While Levis grappled with his recent mistakes, he expressed a determined mindset moving forward. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," he stated with conviction. This resilience and focus suggest that he is committed to improving and helping his team find their footing in the challenging weeks ahead.
As the Titans prepare to host the Packers this Sunday, all eyes will be on Levis and his ability to minimize errors while maximizing the offensive potential. The young quarterback's response to criticism and self-reflection displays a maturity that could be key to turning the tide for the Titans. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if this maturity will translate into better decision-making on the field, which could be the difference-maker as the team strives to realign with their season objectives.