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Many were stunned last year when Kentucky quarterback Will Levis slid out of the first round at the 2023 NFL Draft after being projected to go in the top ten by nearly everyone. The Tennessee Titans were the beneficiary of Levis falling when they selected him with the second pick of the second round, and they had to have loved what they saw for him today in his first start in the NFL.
He was spectacular today in the team’s 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons, and he may have snatched the starting job from veteran Ryan Tannehill.
In fact, the only reason Levis was starting is because of an ankle injury that Tannehill suffered before the bye week in the team’s loss to the 2-4 Baltimore Ravens back on October 15.
The plan was to have Will Levis and 2022 draft pick Malik Willis split reps today, but Levis was too good for any platoon today, to say the least.
Levis was a fantastic 19-29 for 238 yards and four touchdowns, three of those going to DeAndre Hopkins. He was especially great on deep balls, showing excellent touch and anticipation. Take a look.
Hopkins hat trick!
📺: #ATLvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/oZuDFrFylX— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
That’s an outstanding throw to DeAndre Hopkins.
Yeah, it’s early. NFL teams had limited film on how Will Levis would operate in that offense, and he was in a favorable game script today with Derrick Henry running the ball effectively and the Falcons struggling on offense in the first half. But, he was very good, and I’d say there is little chance of Tannehill getting his job back immediately once he comes back.
Are Tennessee Titans fans going to start putting mayonnaise in their coffee, eating banana with the peels on, and only eating meat if it’s chicken? They might, if they want to emulate their quarterback.
The win gets the Titans to only 3-4, so Levis has to continue playing well if the team is going to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.