In a surprising midseason move, the Tennessee Titans are planning a change at quarterback for their Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. According to a source close to the situation, the Titans will bench struggling rookie quarterback Will Levis in favor of veteran backup Mason Rudolph.
Levis’ Rookie Struggles Reach Tipping Point
The decision comes on the heels of Levis’ disastrous performance in the Titans’ 37-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. The rookie signal-caller committed four turnovers in the game, including three interceptions, with one returned for a touchdown by Bengals safety Geno Stone. Levis was benched mid-game in favor of Rudolph.
Levis, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has endured a tumultuous rookie campaign. He has thrown 12 interceptions on the season, tied for the fourth-most in the league, and his four pick-sixes are the most by any quarterback. Levis’ struggles have been a major factor in the Titans’ inconsistent offense and disappointing 3-11 record.
Rudolph Steps In With Steady Hand
Enter Mason Rudolph, the veteran backup who has already made four starts this season while Levis was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Rudolph, a five-year pro who signed with the Titans as a free agent last offseason, has provided a steadying presence when called upon. The Titans secured two of their three wins this season with Rudolph under center.
In his four starts, Rudolph has passed for 1,015 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. While not spectacular numbers, Rudolph’s experience and ability to limit mistakes could be just what the doctor ordered for a Titans team desperate to salvage something positive from this lost season.
You try to do best by all players involved and the guys getting ready to go play games on Sundays want to feel like we’re going to put them in position to win.
– Titans head coach Josh Callahan on the quarterback decision
Callahan’s Conundrum: Develop Levis or Play to Win?
For head coach Josh Callahan, the decision to bench Levis was not made lightly. The Titans hired the quarterback guru to help develop Levis into the franchise quarterback they envisioned when they selected him 33rd overall last April. But with the losses piling up and the offense sputtering, Callahan felt a change was necessary.
As Callahan explained, he has to “balance trying to coach Levis through poor play with making sure he’s putting the team in the best situation to perform to their ability.” By turning to Rudolph, Callahan is sending a message that everyone on the roster, even highly drafted rookies, will be held accountable for their performance.
We’re in a week-to-week battle right now, trying to find the best way we can to win the football game, trying to put the best possible performance we can put together.
– Callahan on the team’s approach for the final three games
Uncertain Future at Quarterback
With just three games remaining in a lost season, the Titans now face significant questions about their future at the game’s most important position. Levis’ rookie struggles have done little to solidify his status as the long-term answer under center. And with Rudolph set to hit free agency after this season, the Titans could find themselves starting from scratch at quarterback in 2025.
For now, though, the Titans are focused on the present and trying to finish this disappointing season on a positive note. That starts with Rudolph leading the offense against the Colts on Sunday, as the Titans look to play spoiler against their division rival.
The Last Word
The Titans’ decision to bench rookie quarterback Will Levis in favor of veteran Mason Rudolph speaks to the harsh realities of the NFL. Drafted in the second round to be the franchise’s quarterback of the future, Levis now finds himself watching from the sidelines as the Titans turn to a steady veteran hand to guide them through the final weeks of a lost season.
For Levis, the benching serves as a wake-up call and an opportunity to reflect on his rookie struggles and redouble his efforts to improve. For Rudolph, it’s a chance to audition for his next job, whether in Tennessee or elsewhere. And for the Titans, it’s a reminder that the search for a franchise quarterback is an ongoing process, one that often takes many twists and turns before a long-term answer emerges.
As the Titans close out this disappointing campaign, all eyes will be on the quarterback position and how the team navigates this critical juncture. Will Levis bounce back and prove he deserves another shot as the starter in 2025? Will Rudolph make a case for a longer look in Tennessee or a starting job elsewhere? The intrigue is just beginning in Nashville, even as the playoffs fade out of reach.
