Sportsnaut
As soon as the Tennessee Titans made it official by locking in Cam Ward as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, many thought it would spell the end of Will Levis’s days in Nashville. The Titans ended up keeping Levis on the roster throughout the NFL Draft, which was a strong indicator that he was still in their plans for the upcoming season, possibly as the top backup to help push Ward to be the best he can be.
Or perhaps they knew something bigger was coming.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced that Levis will be having season-ending surgery on the same right throwing shoulder he injured twice last year. As Schefter’s source put it, Levis is “dedicated to return to be able to compete at the highest level possible.”
That’s fine, but the Titans still need a competent backup this season. For now, they have veteran journeymen Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. Yet, Titans coach Brian Callahan may urge new general manager Mike Borgonzi to try finding an upgrade. Though, since the Titans are coming off a last-place finish and enter the season without playoff expectations, Borgonzi may not want to invest too much into a position where the future is already set.
As a result, it’s time to look at five quick replacement options after the Levis injury announcement.
Ryan Tannehill is 36 years old. He hasn’t played in an NFL game in over 500 days. However, it’s no secret that he loved his five seasons in Tennessee. Heck, they may be the one franchise that can still pull him back out of retirement after word surfaced of the Vikings’ potential interest earlier this offseason. Plus, as an 11-year vet and former first-round pick, he’d seemingly be a great mentor for Ward.
Showing he’s more than capable of being a strong leader as a coach, Teddy Bridgewater is more than comfortable providing feedback from the sidelines. That’s exactly what the Titans’ rookie QB will need throughout his first season. Plus, if the Titans do need a QB in a pinch, the former first-round pick is still plenty capable.
Related: Teddy Bridgewater Suspended From HS Coaching Gig
Patrick Mahomes’ primary backup from last season still hasn’t landed a new contract for the upcoming campaign. The former No. 2 overall pick is still just 32 years old, and he’d be just a snap away from seeing action in Tennessee. It could be the perfect scenario for both sides.
The Cleveland Browns just acquired the former first-round pick this offseason. However, that was before they landed Dillon Gabriel AND Shedeur Sanders in the NFL Draft. Pickett could very well be the odd man out in a four-person QB competition. However, the right offer (Cleveland traded Dorian Thompson-Robinson plus a fifth-round pick for him) could re-route Pickett to Tennessee where he’d still be the top backup in town.
Kirk Cousins has no...
