Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Malik Willis (7), Ryan Tannehill (17) and Will Levis (8) Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Titans' quarterback situation is a mess

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/15/23

The Titans have what might be the worst quarterback room in the NFL.

Tennessee displayed its ineptitude at the most important position in football in Sunday's 24-16 loss to Baltimore in London.

Starter Ryan Tannehill was 8-of-16 for 76 yards and an interception, leaving in the third quarter after suffering an ankle injury at the beginning of the second half.

Backup Malik Willis finished 4-of-5 for 74 yards, but that stat line is misleading. Willis looked bad, showing shockingly low pocket awareness. He was sacked four times, including three times when Tennessee had the ball in the red zone with under two minutes remaining and no timeouts in a two-score game, although one sack was erased due to a defensive penalty.

Malik Willis with 4 sacks and 5 pass attempts today. A prime example of “sacks are a QB stat” more than an OL stat
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 15, 2023

Malik Willis took 4 sacks today against just 5 pass attempts.

He joins Troy Aikman (2000 vs. PHI) and Colin Kaepernick (2016 vs. CHI) as the only QBs to take 4+ sacks with 5 or fewer pass attempts since 2000.
— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) October 15, 2023

Malik Willis has been sacked on 17.5% of his career dropbacks. That's 2nd highest rate for any QB w/ 50+ pass attempts in last 30 seasons. Only Luke Falk (18%) is higher
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) October 15, 2023

In an extended audition last season, Willis was 31-of-61 for 276 yards (4.5 yards per attempt) and three interceptions. The Titans can't wait for him to figure out things. As much as Willis has struggled, that's a concerning sign for rookie second-round pick Will Levis.

Tennessee (2-4) has its bye in Week 7 and hosts Atlanta (3-2) in Week 8. The time off might allow Tannehill enough time to recover from his injury, but what does that say about Levis if Tannehill can't go and the team starts Willis?

Head coach Mike Vrabel has gotten a better look at Levis than anyone else, and if he thinks he's less capable of leading the offense than the team's other unappealing options, that's a problem.

Tennessee will likely be in the market for a quarterback during the offseason. Luckily for the Titans, the 2024 class features plenty of enticing prospects, headlined by Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, but also including Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, J.J. McCarthy, Quinn Ewers, Riley Leonard, Jayden Daniels and Michael Pratt.

If Levis isn't the answer, Tennessee needs to find someone who is. The Titans aren't going anywhere until they figure out their mess at quarterback.

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