Titans are thrilled with Will Levis’ progress thus far.
Three days into training camp, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is doing precisely what new coach Brian Callahan wants to see from him. Levis has shown excellent command of the offense and is spreading the ball around.
Levis, known for his elite arm talent, has worked on the short and intermediate game early in training camp. He has developed a rapport with tight ends Josh Whyle and Chig Okonkwo.
Anytime a quarterback is learning a new offense, particularly a young quarterback, the little things matter the most. Callahan praised Levis’s work this week.
“Very pleased,” said of Levis on Thursday, via Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. “I think Will’s doing a great job playing on time. Obviously, we’re focused on a little bit more of the timing elements, the shorter passing game. But man, he’s been really impressive. I think his hard work this offseason and over the summer has really paid off.
Most importantly, Levis is practicing with confidence.Â
“He’s incredibly confident right now, and he’s earned that confidence. Every day that he comes out and plays well, he earns more confidence. I think that that’s the fun part about where he’s at. He’s dialed in. He has studied.”
The Titans spent the offseason making moves to support Levis in every way possible. Callahan’s addition as head coach and the staff he hired were with Levis in mind. Also, the signings of center Lloyd Cushenberry, running back Tony Pollard, and wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency and the selection of offensive tackle JC Latham in the first round of the NFL draft were to support their young quarterback.
It’s early, but the arrow is pointing up for Levis.
The Titans’ new star WR sees big things in Will Levis.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley has seen enough in how second-year quarterback Will Levis goes about his preparation, so much that he is ready to compare him to former teammate and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ridley spoke with reporters following Wednesday’s Day 1 of training camp, and the Titans wideout had high praise for the second-year quarterback.
“Will (Levis) is doing everything. I played with Matt Ryan; Will’s doing the same thing that “Ice” (Ryan) did,” Ridley said via ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “He’s ready to work. He’s not satisfied with bull***. He wants it to be good. We want to work to get better so that when the games come, we look good.”
Ridley, who signed a three-year contract in free agency, played with Ryan for four seasons in Atlanta. During that time, the wide receiver hauled in 248 receptions for 3,342 yards, including a season-high 1,374 yards during the 2020 season.
Ridley knows the offseason preparation that is required for an NFL quarterback. It’s nice to see him recognize that in Levis, despite how young he is. The Kentucky product had a mixed rookie campaign, posting a 3-6 record and throwing for 1,808 with a 58.4 percent completion rate in nine games last year.
Earlier in the offseason, Levis and several of his teammates, including Ridley, worked out in Cabo, Mexico, to build some chemistry. The young quarterback was also the first one in the Titans’ parking lot on Tuesday, ahead of players reporting to training camp.
Levis is doing (and saying) all of the right things leading up to camp and the preseason. Now, it really just comes down to execution.
Could the Titans and star WR Deandre Hopkins come to terms on a new extension?
One of the more interesting storylines to monitor this training camp and as the season unfolds is Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ contract situation. The 32-year-old is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season after initially signing a two-year, $26 million contract with the Titans in free agency.
Hopkins played in all 17 games last season, including 16 starts, and hauled in 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns, marking the Clemson product’s first 1,000-plus season since 2020. After a slower start to his first season in Nashville, Hopkins became one of rookie quarterback Will Levis’s favorite targets down the stretch.
With all players reporting to camp on Tuesday, general manager Ran Carthon was asked about the possibility of keeping Hopkins in Nashville beyond the 2024 NFL season.
“We’ve identified a number of guys that we’d like to continue to move forward with and eventually take care (of),” Carthon said via Paul Kuharsky. “But you guys have heard me; we’re going to keep family business in terms of talking about their contracts and what’s next for them. But we, as a staff, have identified some guys that we’d like to have here long-term.”
Certainly, Carthon is keeping things close to the vest, but it sounds like the Titans brass is open to keeping Hopkins paired with Levis in 2025 and potentially even longer.
In addition to Hopkins, the Titans surrounded their second-year quarterback with offensive skill positions this offseason, signing wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and running back Tony Pollard.
Boyd, signed to a one-year deal, could depart after this season, and there are questions about wide receiver Treylon Burks’ future in Nashville after two underperforming, injury-riddled seasons. Hopkins still has plenty left in the tank, and a contract extension would make a lot of sense for both sides.
The team has certainly added talent on both sides of the ball, but perhaps no player is more important than young quarterback Will Levis. Levis showed flashes of greatness as a rookie, but the Titans are counting on the young passer to take another step forward in 2024 with a better supporting cast.
The team added veteran receivers Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley this offseason. Running back Tony Pollard was added to offset the loss of Derrick Henry, and the offensive line was beefed up by adding rookie JC Latham and free agent Lloyd Cushenberry. It certainly seems like Levis will have every opportunity to prove himself in 2024.
With that being said, let’s identify three bold stat predictions for the Titans in 2024.
Why will Will Levis be the first QB to do so? Well, his supporting cast is arguably the best in franchise history. DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd give the young QB a trio of experienced pass catchers to target. Additionally, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow eclipsed 4,000 yards twice under Brian Callahan’s tutelage.
Add in that the Titans no longer have Derrick Henry to give the ball to 25 times a game, and all the ingredients are there for Levis to have a huge season.
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins will both eclipse 1,000 receiving yards
In 2023, both Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. In 2024, look for the duo to repeat that stat, this time as teammates.
As mentioned above, all expectations should be that Levis is going to have a huge year. If Levis eclipses 4,000 yards, then that also means Ridley and Hopkins will have huge years. Both veterans have shown the ability to rack up yards, and there’s no reason to think there won’t be enough targets to go around.
Tyler Boyd hasn’t surpassed 1,000 yards since 2019, and neither Nick Westbrook-Ikhine nor Treylon Burks have shown an ability to produce like that. This means Levis could end up relying on his two star receivers, and both could end up with Pro Bowl-caliber seasons because of that.
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Cedric Gray will collect 100+ tackles
Cedric Gray was a tackling machine in college. From 2021-2023, the linebacker collected at least 100 tackles in each season for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Coming to the Titans as a fourth-round pick, many would probably expect Gray to be a backup and/or a special teamer as a rookie. However, the former Tar Heel has his eyes on the green dot and could end up starting from Week One. Gray is slightly undersized and isn’t the best in pass coverage, but he attacks the ball and doesn’t shy away from contact.
The Titans brought in Kenneth Murray in free agency, but the other inside linebacker spot is up for grabs. Last season, we saw Azeez Al-Shaair blow past 100 tackles for the Titans. The rookie Gray could easily do the same in his first season in Nashville.
WATCH: Falcons TE Kyle Pitts works on footwork with Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley
Expectations for the Atlanta Falcons have risen after signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal in free agency. With a competent QB in place, the team will look to return to the postseason for the first time since 2017.
To secure a playoff berth, though, the Falcons will need major contributions from their young offensive talent, including Kyle Pitts. The fourth-year tight end struggled to replicate the success of his rookie season in 2022 and 2023, but there’s hope for 2024.
Pitts is expected to play more of a hybrid tight end/wide receiver role for Atlanta this season and he’s doing everything possible to prepare himself. As shared by G.O.A.T Farm Sports below, Pitts was seen working out with some NFL wide receivers, including former Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley:
George Pickens, Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts, and Chris Henry Jr. footwork drill 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3qCgrGxqWv
— G.O.A.T. Farm Sports (@GOATfarmmedia) July 16, 2024
Along with Pitts and Ridley, the group included wide receivers George Pickens and Chris Henry Jr. Pitts can learn a thing or two from these wideouts in terms of footwork and running routes
Ridley, who played in Atlanta from 2018-2021, racked up 248 catches for 3,342 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Alabama wideout is one of the elite route-runners in the NFL.
Pitts has been hindered by poor QB play and a knee injury that prematurely ended his 2022 season. The 23-year-old still has a ton of potential. If he can stay healthy this season, Pitts has a chance to reestablish himself as one of the game’s top tight ends.
Three Titans players were recently named to an “All-Overpaid Team” for the 2024 season.
In a recent article naming some of the most overpaid players at each position in the NFL, the list was littered with Tennessee Titans.
According to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, outside linebacker Harold Landry and safety Amani Hooker all made his “All-Overpaid Team” for 2024.
Let’s take a look at what Iyer said about each.
Calvin Ridley:
The Titans used a recent first-rounder on Treylon Burks, still employ DeAndre Hopkins, and also signed Tyler Boyd this offseason. They’re hoping Ridley will rebound after posting only a few flashes for divisional-rival Jacksonville following his one-year suspension. Also of note is the fact Ridley already will be 30 in December.
Harold Landry:
Landry has raised his sack totals with a combined 22.5 the past two seasons, but he doesn’t provide too much more consistently.
Amani Hooker:
The Titans make the cut again here, as they have fallen off at this position since the prime of Kevin Byard.
At the time of his signing, Ridley’s deal could be considered an overpay, but that’s typical when signing the best player at a position in free agency. Further, he addressed a major need for Tennessee.
Since signing, Ridley’s annual average has fallen from 10th to 14th at the position, according to Over the Cap, so his deal continues to look better and better.
The extension Hooker got back in 2022 was always difficult to justify. That’s not to say he’s a bad player, but his inability to stay healthy has always been an issue. He hasn’t played a full slate of games the past three seasons and has missed 17 games in that span.
Hooker’s annual average ($10 million) ranks 12th among safeties, so it isn’t an egregious overpay.
The jury is really still out on Landry’s contract. After securing his deal in 2022 following a career-best campaign, Landry suffered a torn ACL and we know that it takes a player to full return to form.
However, Landry still managed to tally 10.5 sacks in 2023 as he got better and better as the year progressed. We’ll really know for sure if Tennessee made a mistake or not in giving Landry big money after 2024.
PFF recently ranked the receiving corps. of all 32 teams in the NFL and the Titans simply weren’t high enough.
The Tennessee Titans beefed up their receiving corps. in a big way this offseason with the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, both of whom will join last year’s top target in Nashville, DeAndre Hopkins.
Assuming everything pans out, that trio is arguably one of the best in the NFL and the Titans are in a much better place than they were last season when they lacked talent at the position.
However, that wasn’t exactly reflected in the receiving corps. rankings of Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema, who placed the Titans’ group at No. 12.
It’s important to note that Sikkema includes tight ends and running backs when calculating his rankings. Here’s what he said:
It’s hard to know what to expect from the Titans’ passing game this year, but they have a handful of intriguing names.
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins might not be at his peak but is still a good player, as is newcomer Calvin Ridley. Treylon Burks is a wild card that could put this group over the top, and the Titans signed veteran Tyler Boyd this offseason to raise the floor.
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, who earned a 74.6 receiving grade in 2023, are viable receiving options out of the backfield.
The Titans have two receivers who could be a No. 1 on a lot of teams in the NFL in Ridley and DHop, and Boyd is one of the better slot receivers there is.
Then, factor in the uber-athletic Chig Okonkwo as the No. 4 option and a pair of explosive playmakers in Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, and that should seal the deal for a top-10 ranking, at worst.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan admitted that stealing Calvin Ridley from the Jaguars made the signing even better.
The Tennessee Titans made a giant addition to their wide receivers in free agency when they signed Calvin Ridley. Making the deal even better was the fact that the Titans also weakened a division rival.
By all accounts, Ridley looked primed to re-sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars until the Titans swooped in at the 11th hour and signed him.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan was recently a guest on Adam Schefter’s podcast when he admitted that the fact that the Titans stole Ridley away from the Jags made the signing “a little sweeter.”
“I believe in everything he’s about; he’s a pro’s pro and he’s got real talent,” Callahan said. “He’s one of the better route-runners I’ve ever been around. He’s really sudden, really fast, really explosive. On top of it, he’s a great personality.
“To have him here and be able to steal him from a division rival makes it a little sweeter in that regard. I love having Calvin and I think he’s really gonna help us.”
While the Jags lost Ridley, they did sign Gave Davis and drafted Brian Thomas Jr., although it remains to be seen if either will be able to fill the veteran’s shoes in their first season in Duval.
Brian Callahan happy Titans could ‘steal’ Calvin Ridley from Jaguars
Calvin Ridley was widely expected to be a Jaguar in 2024 and beyond before he shocked the NFL world by signing with Jacksonville’s AFC South rival, Tennessee, roughly an hour into free agency in March.
The Titans swooped in and inked Ridley to a four-year, $92 million contract after a reported bidding war between Jacksonville and New England appeared to be leaning in the Jaguars’ direction.
Jacksonville decided against extending Ridley’s contract immediately following the 2023 season, allowing him to test the free agency waters and the team to hold onto its second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft as part of its trade conditions with Atlanta for Ridley’s services.
With ample salary cap space available, Tennessee seized the opportunity to upgrade its wide receiver corps and simultaneously throw a wrench in its rivals’ plans at the position.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan said as much during an appearance on The Adam Schefter Podcast Tuesday.
“I believe in everything he’s about. He’s a pro’s pro and he’s got real talent. He’s one of the better route runners I’ve ever been around. Really sudden, really fast, really explosive and, on top of it, he’s a great personality,” Callahan said.
“To have him here and be able to steal him from a division rival makes it a little sweeter in that regard. I love having Calvin and I think he’s really gonna help us.”
During his lone season with the Jaguars, following over a year removed from football due to a gambling suspension and cited mental health reasons, Ridley caught 76 passes for a team-leading 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Jacksonville aggressively attempted to replace Ridley and upgrade its wide receiver room across the board this offseason, signing former Buffalo receiver Gabe Davis and former Baltimore receiver/return specialist Devin Duvernay in free agency and selecting receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of the NFL draft.
The trio, paired with seasoned Jaguars, receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram, will comprise freshly-extended quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s arsenal of pass-catching weapons in 2024 and likely beyond.
After yet another wide receiver signed an extension on Monday, Titans WR Calvin Ridley is moving down the list of the highest-paid once again.
The contract the Tennessee Titans gave wide receiver Calvin Ridley this offseason continues to look better and better after it was initially ridiculed by those outside of Nashville.
Ridley recently moved down the list of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL twice after the Miami Dolphins extended Jaylen Waddle and the Houston Texans did the same with Nico Collins.
Now, as of Monday morning, Ridley is moving down again.
According to several reports, the Minnesota Vikings and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson have agreed to a four-year, $140 million deal that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver and non-QB in the league.
The annual average of that deal is $35 million, which is well-deserved for the best wide receiver in the NFL. And, with the deal done, Ridley’s $23 million annual average falls to 14th at the position, according to Over the Cap.
Since Ridley got his deal, Waddle, Collins, Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have all signed extensions. And, guys like CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase and Brandon Aiyuk are still to come, which means Ridley could fall all the way to 17th.
