It's been a tough start to the 2024 NFL season for the Tennessee Titans, who find themselves at 0-2 following a 24-17 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2. The recent defeat highlighted some glaring issues, particularly in the performance of their young quarterback, Will Levis.
Critical Mistakes Highlight Tough Loss
In a pivotal moment during the game, Levis threw a pass intended for Tyjae Spears, which unfortunately resulted in a fumble. The Jets capitalized on this critical mistake, swinging the momentum in their favor. Titans' offensive coordinator Callahan did not mince words in his postgame press conference, describing Levis' decision as "dumb."
Levis' inclination to take risks has been a double-edged sword for the team. Despite his talent, this risk-taking approach has led to a troublesome start for the second-year quarterback. In just the first two games, he has already thrown three interceptions and experienced two fumbles—a statistic that underscores the Titans' offensive challenges.
Acknowledging Mistakes and Seeking Improvement
After the game, Levis showed a sense of maturity in handling the criticism. "He told us straight off, he's not a yeller and screamer, but he can be and there's certain situations that allow for that, and that definitely was one of those situations," Levis said. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
The 33rd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft admitted that he shared his coach's frustration. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me," Levis revealed. "I know it's an emotional response that we all have after things like that. We were right back to it, and he had confidence in me on the next play taking that shot. That was cool to feel, coming back on the field after that turnover, even though we had another one after that. I don't have any problem with how he handled himself."
Levis' admission is indicative of his self-awareness and growth mindset. "I think a lot of people, when they hear gunslinger, they think about recklessness. I definitely feel like I was a little too reckless in my college career and tried to make some throws that I would want to take back. I changed that mentality a bit in my play last year. Just realizing at the level that I was playing at where I had to be that much more careful with the ball. I was proud of how I was able to protect it a little more than I did in my college years."
Looking Ahead to Turn the Tide
With the Titans aiming for a playoff run this season, the pressure on Levis is immense. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," Levis stated confidently. For this to happen, Levis will need to curb his reckless tendencies and make smarter decisions under pressure.
The Titans will face the Green Bay Packers this Sunday, an opportunity for Levis to rebound from his early-season struggles. The Packers will be without their starting quarterback Jordan Love, with Malik Willis stepping in due to an injury. This could provide a potential break for the Titans, and for Levis, a chance to turn the narrative around.
Despite the rocky start, Levis' ability to acknowledge and learn from his mistakes suggests that the young quarterback has the maturity needed to navigate the challenges ahead. How he handles the scrutiny and pressure in the upcoming games will be crucial for the Titans as they strive to meet their playoff aspirations. Titans fans are hopeful that Levis' self-reflection and commitment to improvement will translate into on-field success.