The Tennessee Titans may have found their franchise quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Miami’s Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. However, another former high draft pick quarterback on their roster, Will Levis, did not play in Week 1 of the preseason and is not expected to play in Week 2 either. Here’s why.
Why Will Levis Is Sitting Out Titans’ Preseason Week 2
The Titans selected Levis with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, hoping he could develop into a franchise quarterback. He started nine games in his rookie season, throwing for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Levis entered the 2024 season as the team’s starter but struggled with his play and a lingering shoulder injury. He appeared in 12 games, throwing for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Will Levis throws a pick and then recovers the fumble on the same play 😂
pic.twitter.com/nF5UkTcxKY— PFF (@PFF) December 3, 2023
Following a 3-14 finish in 2024, the Titans drafted Ward in 2025, effectively ending Levis’s tenure as the starting quarterback.
Throughout the offseason, Levis had been receiving the most reps behind Ward, but before training camp, he opted for shoulder surgery related to his 2024 injury and is expected to miss the entire 2025 season.
Will Levis to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
Story: https://t.co/oEXz8RbqKN pic.twitter.com/i6cPHBuzMt
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) July 21, 2025
That’s why Levis didn’t appear in the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will also miss tonight’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
With his shoulder surgery keeping him out for the entire 2025 season, Levis won’t return until 2026, which will be the final year of his rookie contract. With Ward now on the roster, the Titans could consider trading Levis, or he may enter free agency.
Ward played two drives in the preseason opener and was relieved by veteran quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle, who will back up Ward in 2025 while Levis recovers.
Levis’s NFL journey has been tumultuous so far. With the team moving on after just two seasons, he chose to prioritize his long-term health by undergoing surgery, hoping for another chance to start in the league rather than serving as Ward’s backup in 2025.
The former Kentucky quarterback was a highly touted prospect coming out of college. He had the arm strength and athleticism to develop into an NFL-caliber starting quarterback. While his career in Tennessee is likely over, a strong recovery from his injury could give him a chance to find a new team.
Levis will remain sidelined for tonight’s matchup against the Falcons, the rest of the preseason, and the entire 2025 season as he focuses on recovering from his shoulder surgery and aims for a potential comeback in 2026.
