NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have a quarterback competition.
It’s for the job backing up veteran starter Ryan Tannehill.
In Saturday’s preseason opener, a 23-17 road loss to the Chicago Bears, the Titans started Malik Willis, a third-round selection and No. 86 overall in the 2022 NFL draft who was taken by Tennessee’s previous general manager. And then Will Levis, the second pick of the second round in April’s draft, came in as they alternated every couple of series the rest of the way.
As Titans coach Mike Vrabel pointed out Sunday, backup quarterbacks are far more likely to come in at a moment’s notice, rather than having a week to prepare knowing they’ll definitely be counted on to play.
“Most of the time they’re going to have to come in off the bench and be ready to execute,” Vrabel said. “So that’s some of the things that we were trying to recreate.”
Willis opened the game well behind the Titans’ first-team offensive line. He finished 16-of-25 for 189 yards with one interception, while Levis was 9-of-14 for 85 yards and an interception. Both quarterbacks were sacked four times apiece.
The Titans couldn’t have drawn up a much better opening series.
Willis drove the offense 80 yards over 12 plays and capped the possession by running for a 2-yard touchdown. After Luke Gifford recovered a muffed punt, Willis had plenty of time and overthrew 6-foot-7 rookie tight end Josh Whyle, who had the ball go off his hands at the goal line for an interception.
Vrabel said both quarterback and receiver shared blame on the interception, with Willis likely wanting to throw the ball a bit lower and Whyle wanting to catch it. The play was a strong reminder of how lost points can hurt in the scheme of a game.
“That’s a play that needs to get executed,” Vrabel said.
The Titans got the ball right back when cornerback Tre Avery picked off a pass by Bears backup P.J. Walker, and they converted that turnover with Levis at quarterback. Running back Hassan Haskins went over the top for a touchdown on fourth-and-1 that tied the game at 14.
AP photo by Erin Hooley / Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis speaks during a news conference after Saturday’s road loss to the Chicago Bears in the preseason opener for both teams.Assistant head coach and defensive line assistant Terrell Williams was acting as head coach for a 48-hour period, including for the game.
The Titans also had a bunch of starters watching from the sideline not in uniform. That group included Tannehill, three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and three-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry on offense. On defense, the 11 starters not playing included two-time Pro Bowl lineman Jeffery Simmons.
Vrabel said it was a lot of fun watching Williams.
“The most important thing, it was well deserved,” Vrabel said. “It was something that I absolutely should have done.”
The Titans are set to practice Monday in Nashville before heading to Minnesota for a pair of joint practices with the Vikings ahead of their preseason game Saturday. Vrabel isn’t tipping his hand about which quarterback will start but made clear he wants every healthy player to prepare to start.
Tennessee has led the NFL each of the past two seasons for the most players used because of injuries. A combined 137 players have played for the Titans, with Chicago second, using 133.
Tannehill missed five starts last season, pushing Willis into three starts among his eight games played. Willis was more productive alternating with Levis against Chicago than as a rookie, when he never threw for more than 99 yards in any game.
So, yes, quarterbacks in particular need to be ready at a moment’s notice.
Said Vrabel: “We want them all to prepare as a starter, be prepared to play the entire game.”