Do the Titans have their answer at quarterback?
It’s far too early to tell, but rookie second-round pick Will Levis made quite a first impression on Sunday in his first NFL start.
The Kentucky product wasn’t perfect, but he did what was asked of him in a win over the Falcons with Ryan Tannehill injured. The Titans entered the game with a plan to rotate Levis and Malik Willis and played both on their first drive, but Levis showed enough for Mike Vrabel to hand him the keys and set him loose the rest of the way.
Levis flashed an instant rapport with DeAndre Hopkins, who entered Sunday without a touchdown this season and came away with three.
MORE: Why Will Levis puts mayo in his coffee, eats bananas whole
Here’s a closer look at Levis’ debut and his connection with Hopkins.
Will Levis stats today
Levis finished 19 of 29 for 238 yards and four touchdowns in his first NFL start, throwing a touchdown pass in every quarter.
It was admittedly a hit-or-miss day for Levis, as 157 of his 238 yards came on touchdown passes. He had a tougher time methodically moving the ball down the field and sustaining drives, but when it clicked, it clicked for the rookie.
Levis made a bit of Titans history, joining Marcus Mariota as Tennessee quarterbacks to throw four touchdown passes in their first NFL game.
Will Levis has 4 pass TD in his first career game.
He’s the 2nd player since at least 1970 with 4 pass TD in his first game.
The other was former #Titans QB Marcus Mariota in 2015. @Titans @NFLResearch @pfref
— Tony Holzman-Escareno (@FrontOfficeNFL) October 29, 2023
While Levis’ performance doesn’t necessarily mean he is instantly the Titans’ long-term solution at quarterback, he did something Tennessee simply hadn’t seen yet this season. The Titans entered Sunday with just three passing touchdowns through six games, two by Tannehill and one from Derrick Henry.
The strides made by the passing game could give Levis a strong case to continue on as the Titans’ starter, even if Tannehill is cleared to return from an ankle injury.
MORE: Latest injury updates on Kirk Cousins
Hopkins was the biggest beneficiary of Levis’ success, as he totaled 128 yards and three touchdowns on just four catches. It was Hopkins’ second career three-score game and first since 2017.
Hopkins hat trick!
📺: #ATLvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/oZuDFrFylX— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
If Tannehill is ready to return next week, Vrabel will certainly have a decision to make. Many would argue the decision has already been made for him.