In a surprising twist that has sent waves throughout the NFL community, the latest mock draft from Pro Football Focus has the Tennessee Titans making a bold and controversial move—moving on from quarterback Will Levis after just one season and selecting a new signal-caller in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While mock drafts are often exercises in projection and speculation, this particular forecast has sparked intense discussion among fans, analysts, and even players about the future of the Titans, the legitimacy of Levis as a franchise quarterback, and the organization’s overall direction under head coach Brian Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon.
Will Levis, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Kentucky, was heralded as a potential franchise quarterback when he took over the starting role midway through his rookie season. His powerful arm, physical toughness, and flashes of playmaking ability gave the Titans hope during what was otherwise a rebuilding year. He was not perfect—far from it—but Levis showed enough promise to make many believe that Tennessee had at least found a short-term solution under center, if not their long-term franchise quarterback.
But the new regime in Nashville appears less convinced. PFF’s most recent mock draft has the Titans selecting a quarterback in the top 10, a move that, if made, would signal the end of the Levis experiment before it ever truly began. It’s the kind of decision that could define careers—both for better and for worse.
The Titans’ inclusion in quarterback discussions isn’t entirely shocking. Despite Levis’ physical tools and leadership qualities, Tennessee struggled mightily on offense throughout the 2024 season. The offensive line, decimated by injuries and inconsistent play, rarely gave Levis time to operate. The receiving corps, headlined by veteran DeAndre Hopkins, lacked the explosiveness and depth needed to stretch defenses. While Levis certainly had moments that hinted at potential stardom, he also battled bouts of inaccuracy and questionable decision-making. The numbers weren’t terrible, but they weren’t franchise-defining either. He finished the season with a modest touchdown-to-interception ratio and a completion percentage that ranked near the bottom third of the league.
And yet, few expected the Titans to give up on him this quickly. Drafting a quarterback in the first round just one year after selecting one in the second is a rare and risky move—especially when the prior selection hasn’t yet had the opportunity to develop in a stable environment. Critics of the mock draft argue that Levis hasn’t been given a fair shake. How can any young quarterback thrive behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league, with limited weapons, and amid the chaos of a coaching change?
Still, the logic behind PFF’s projection is rooted in the idea that when you have a chance to get it right at quarterback, you take it—no matter who is currently on the roster. In this case, PFF has the Titans selecting a prospect viewed as a generational talent at the position, someone with elite arm talent, mobility, and the type of leadership that can transform a franchise. If such a player falls into Tennessee’s lap, it may simply be too tempting to pass up. After all, quarterback purgatory is the worst place an NFL team can find itself, and franchises have suffered for decades by clinging to the wrong guy for too long.
Furthermore, the Titans have a new coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Brian Callahan, who spent the previous five seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. Callahan is known for his work with quarterbacks, particularly Joe Burrow, and his offensive mind is one of the most respected in the league. It’s not uncommon for new head coaches to want “their guy” under center, and Callahan may prefer to mold a new quarterback from day one rather than inherit one that doesn’t fit his offensive vision.
It’s also worth considering the broader context of Tennessee’s roster construction. The Titans are clearly in a transitional phase. With the departure of longtime stalwarts like Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill, and the infusion of young talent through the draft and free agency, the team is in the midst of a full-scale rebuild. If Callahan and Carthon believe that Levis is not the guy to lead this new era, then the sooner they make a change, the better.
Still, the risk is enormous. Moving on from Levis now would mean admitting that last year’s draft strategy was flawed. It would require the Titans to either trade Levis or relegate him to a backup role, potentially hurting his confidence and diminishing his trade value. It would also raise serious questions about the organization’s ability to evaluate talent and commit to a long-term vision. Fans, already frustrated by years of mediocrity, may lose faith if the revolving door at quarterback continues to spin.
There’s also the matter of opportunity cost. Drafting a quarterback early means passing up potential help at other key positions. The Titans have glaring needs along the offensive line, and the 2025 draft class is expected to be loaded with elite tackle and guard prospects. Solidifying the trenches could do wonders for Levis’ development—assuming the team still believes in him. Additionally, Tennessee’s defense could use reinforcements at cornerback and edge rusher, and the wide receiver room remains thin beyond Hopkins, who isn’t getting any younger.
So where does this leave the Titans? If PFF’s projection proves prescient, Tennessee will soon face one of the most defining decisions in franchise history. Do they stick with Levis and use their high draft pick to build around him, hoping that improved protection and play-calling unlock his full potential? Or do they hit the reset button once again and roll the dice on a new quarterback, potentially kickstarting a new era of Titans football?
The situation also serves as a microcosm of the broader debate currently engulfing the NFL—how much patience should teams have with young quarterbacks? The days of sitting a rookie for two or three years are long gone. Today, expectations are sky-high from the moment a young passer takes his first snap. The clock starts immediately, and if improvement isn’t immediate and sustained, teams are increasingly willing to move on quickly. It’s a trend that has led to some success stories but also to a fair amount of regret. For every Josh Allen who needed time to develop, there are multiple first-rounders who never got the support or stability they needed to succeed.
Whether Levis ends up being the next Allen or the next cautionary tale is yet to be seen. What’s clear is that his time in Tennessee may already be nearing its end—at least in the eyes of some draft analysts. And for the Titans, the pressure is now on to make the right call.
In the meantime, Levis continues to say all the right things. He’s been working tirelessly this offseason, reportedly showing up early for team workouts, studying film with coaches, and taking a leadership role in the locker room. By all accounts, he’s doing everything he can to prove he belongs. But effort and attitude may not be enough if the front office has already made up its mind.
The next few weeks will be critical. As the draft approaches, rumors will swirl, meetings will be held, and decisions will be made that could alter the course of the franchise for years to come. Whether that means a new quarterback in Nashville or a renewed commitment to Will Levis remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Titans are at a crossroads, and whichever path they choose, there’s no turning back.