Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is an entirely new kind of duck for 2024.
He has been the odd duck at times in his life, what with his mayo-and-coffee- or banana-peel-based shenanigans. He’s been the sitting duck, too, constantly under pressure situated behind last season’s porous offensive line. At times, he was the face of a lame-duck offense, one that was biding time until this offseason’s transition.
Now, with coach Brian Callahan scheming around him and the season finally beginning with Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field (noon CT, FOX), Levis is just the duck.
“You guys are probably familiar with looking at a duck underwater,” Callahan said Monday, alluding to a duck’s tendency to look calm above water while pumping its feet below. “I’m sure internally he’s incredibly excited, but he’s done a really good job of staying consistent and calm in his approach. I know Will well enough to know that he’s very excited to go play.”
THE BIG TRADE: Ernest Jones, ‘shocked’ by Rams trade, may be Tennessee Titans final piece in defense’s rebuild
Callahan said Monday that there’s “no question in his mind” Levis is ready for the moment he’s about to experience. The second-year passer played in nine games as a rookie to varying degrees of success, throwing eight touchdowns with four interceptions and leading the Titans to three wins.
Now he’s the centerpiece of a revamped offense that replaced its Derrick Henry-centric philosophy with playmakers all over the field. Levis has receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to throw to, running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard to use as weapons in the run and pass phases, and a rebuilt offensive line featuring first-round picks at left tackle and left guard and the top-paid free agent center of the offseason.
Levis’ demeanor and his comfort in the offense have all grown as the season has grown closer, Callahan says. The young quarterback flashed a glimpse at this offense’s potential in his four preseason series, leading the Titans to three touchdowns and a field goal without any significant hiccups. But those four series came against the second-string defenses of the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, and the tests he’s about to face will be much trickier to navigate.
Callahan isn’t particularly concerned about his franchise quarterback, though.
“When you just watch him talk to people, watch his interactions with people, he’s a much more confident, calm and collected presence than maybe he’s been,” Callahan said. “But trust me, I know what’s inside of him, and I’m sure his feet are moving as fast as hell underwater right now. He’s ready to roll.”
MORE QB TALK: Why Tennessee Titans said they traded Malik Willis to Green Bay Packers
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at [email protected]. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66d633325ae54551bc5ffc3ddd92bff3&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennessean.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2Ftitans%2F2024%2F09%2F02%2Fwill-levis-tennessee-titans-nfl-2024-brian-callahan-chicago-bears%2F75019116007%2F&c=16675779601701153140&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-09-02 09:51:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
