Titans Anticipate Playing Both Malik Willis & Will Levis In Week 8

Titans HC Mike Vrabel said he anticipates playing both QBs Malik Willis and Will Levis playing in Week 8 against the Falcons, per Jim Wyatt.

He provided the caveat that it would be if veteran QB Ryan Tannehill can’t play but he’s not expected to practice to start the week and is considered doubtful with his ankle injury. 

Willis got the nod for Tannehill when he went down in Week 6 and seemed to earn the backup job over Levis this summer. However, it makes a lot of sense for the Titans to try and evaluate both young passers. 

Willis, 24, started for two years at Liberty after transferring over from Auburn. He led them to a 17-6 record in his two seasons. The Titans selected him with the No. 86 overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

He’s in the second year of a four-year, $5.16 million rookie contract that included a $932,800 signing bonus. 

In 2022, Willis appeared in eight games for the Titans and completed 50.8 percent of his passes for 276 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 123 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Levis, 23, originally began his college career at Penn State before transferring to Kentucky for the 2021 season. He started two seasons for the Wildcats. The Titans selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Levis signed a four-year $9,542,166 rookie contract that includes a $3,939,757 signing bonus and will carry a cap figure of $1,734,939 for 2023. 

During his college career at Penn State and Kentucky, Levis completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 5,876 yards passing, 46 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions over four seasons and 38 games. He also rushed for 742 yards and 17 touchdowns.

We’ll have more on the Titans’ plans at quarterback as the news is available.