Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is set to be benched for Sunday’s upcoming game against the Indianapolis Colts following a tough outing in last Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Titans, who are currently at the bottom of the AFC South with a 3-11 record, will turn to backup quarterback Mason Rudolph in an effort to change their fortunes as the season winds down.
Levis had a rough game against the Bengals, completing only 8 of 12 passes for 89 yards. He threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Geno Stone, and also lost a fumble.
Midway through the game, Levis was pulled in favor of Rudolph, who threw for two touchdowns on 26 pass attempts. This quarterback switch marks a significant decision by the Titans coaching staff as they look for a spark in the final games of the season.
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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Rudolph is expected to start against the Colts unless there is an unforeseen change. The Titans have only won once in their last six games, and their 3-11 record places them in a tough spot as they near the end of the regular season.
Levis, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has faced criticism for his inconsistent play during his rookie season. His struggles were highlighted on Sunday in front of his ex-girlfriend, Gia Duddy, who was seen in the stands. Duddy, who rose to social media fame during Levis’ NFL Draft night, seemed unfazed by the quarterback’s disappointing performance. Levis and Duddy had split up before his NFL debut, and the two have not been seen together in public since.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan addressed the decision to bench Levis after the game.
“We just needed some momentum. We needed something to spark us a bit. We had three turnovers in a really tight amount of time. That gave them some points… I just felt like we needed something. Not everything’s on the quarterback, but he’s the one that’s going to take the most heat when those decisions happen,” Callahan explained.
Looking ahead, Levis‘ future with the Titans is uncertain, especially as the team is poised to have a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans will finish their season with games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans, leaving Levis with little time to prove himself before the offseason.
With Rudolph now in line to start, it remains to be seen whether Levis will have a chance to regain the starting role or if the Titans will look for other solutions at quarterback in the coming years.
