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The Tennessee Titans appear to have “lost faith” in their young quarterback Malik Willis, according to veteran sportswriter Peter King.
Willis, who was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was thrust into a starting role last season when veteran Ryan Tannehill was sidelined with an injury. Although he showed some flashes of potential, the overall result was poor, and he was eventually benched in favor of career backup Josh Dobbs with the playoffs on the line. Dobbs wasn’t even on the team until late in the year, and replaced Willis in a week.
Willis finished his rookie season without a single passing touchdown and three interceptions, and it appears that the Titans are now looking for a new signal-caller to lead their team. With the 2023 NFL Draft just around the corner, the Titans could be in a unique position to land a top quarterback prospect, but they may need to trade up to do so.
At the top of the draft, the Carolina Panthers are widely expected to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick. However, the destination of other top prospects such as Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Kentucky’s Will Levis remains uncertain.
Of those three, Stroud is considered the best, which means that the Titans will likely need to trade up to secure his services. Currently picking 11th overall, they may need to move up several spots to have a chance at landing him.
Fortunately for the Titans, head coach Mike Vrabel has strong ties to Ohio State, having played for the Buckeyes in college. He is also familiar with the team’s coaching staff, which could give the Titans an edge on insight regarding Stroud. One possible trade partner for the Titans could be the Arizona Cardinals, who currently hold the third overall pick in the draft. There have already been rumors of talks between the two teams, and a trade could make sense for both sides.
The Titans have had a talented roster and successful seasons in recent years until 2022. Their quarterback situation is clearly a cause for concern, and they will need to address it if they hope to take the next step and compete for a Super Bowl.
With the draft just a few weeks away, it remains to be seen how the Titans will approach the quarterback position, but it is clear that they are looking to make a change.