When the Tennessee Titans take the field for their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, it will be 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis starting at quarterback.
The news comes from Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky, although as he notes this was very much expected considering Willis was named the No. 2 quarterback going into training camp.
With Willis starting, that means 2023 second-round pick Will Levis will be making his debut afterwards. Levis was named Tennessee’s No. 3 quarterback going into training camp.
Per Stacey Dales of NFL Network, the two quarterbacks will alternate every few series, as opposed to Willis getting the first half and Levis getting the second.
I’m told the #Titans plan on starting Malik Willis today against the Bears (Ryan Tannehill will not play). Will Levis will be the backup. Both QBs will play the entire game, alternating every few series throughout – the competition for QB2 is real in Tennessee. #TENvsCHI pic.twitter.com/N6FJNk2O3x
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) August 12, 2023
Not sure I love this approach, as it might be hard for the young signal-callers to get into a rhythm with both coming in and out of the game. What it does do, however, is give both quarterbacks an equal level of personnel to play with.
Willis and Levis are in the midst of a competition for the backup job. Things have been pretty even up until this point, so the three preseason contests will be huge for both players — and that’s especially true for Willis, whose roster spot may not be completely secure.
Tennessee and Chicago will kick off from Soldier field at noon CT. You can check out how to watch right here.
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