WILLIS — The name Will Levis has been drawing attention this summer not because of any local announcement in Lévis, Quebec, but because the Tennessee Titans quarterback who shares the city’s name told reporters he still believes he belongs among the NFL’s top starters.
Where Levis stands with the Titans
Now 27, Will Levis has seen his professional trajectory stall in recent seasons. A promising college career and early draft buzz led to his selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started parts of two seasons for the Titans, but missed the entire 2025 campaign after surgery on his throwing arm.
With the Titans’ organisation moving in other directions — including the selection of Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 — Levis finds himself fighting for a roster spot this preseason. He is competing with veteran Mitchell Trubisky, who signed a two-year, US$10.5-million contract and has worked previously with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and with 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker.
“There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me. I know that for sure,” Levis told reporters, adding he has already shown on tape that he’s “a dang good quarterback in this league.”
Levis acknowledged the limit of his current control over opportunities, saying he is focused on making the most of reps and helping teammates fight for roster positions.
Career timeline and recent context
The facts laid out by recent accounts show a player whose early promise has been interrupted by injury and team changes. Key points from his recent career:
- Draft and early years: Drafted in the second round in 2023 after rising collegiate stock.
- Starter experience: Started portions of two NFL seasons; as a rookie he started nine games (3-6 record) and in 2024 started 12 games (Titans were 2-10 in games he started).
- Injury: Missed the 2025 season after undergoing surgery on his throwing arm.
- Current competition: Contending now primarily for a backup role behind Cam Ward, with Mitchell Trubisky and Hendon Hooker also in the mix.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Selected in second round; started nine games as a rookie |
| 2024 | Started 12 games; team record when he started was 2-10 |
| 2025 | Missed season due to throwing-arm surgery |
| 2026 (preseason) | Competing for backup role; Cam Ward is starter after being 2025 No. 1 pick |
Implications for Levis and the Titans
For Levis, the coming weeks of training camp and preseason games will be crucial. Though he asserts confidence in his ability to be a starting-calibre quarterback — explicitly stating he does not believe there are 32 better quarterbacks in the NFL — the tangible facts point to a different reality: limited recent game tape, recent major surgery, and a front-office decision to invest a first overall pick in a new franchise starter.
For the Titans, the presence of Levis on the roster still represents both upside and uncertainty. If he can demonstrate full recovery and regain form in practices and preseason snaps, he could be valuable as an experienced backup or a bridge option should the team’s investment in Cam Ward not immediately pay dividends. Conversely, if Levis cannot translate confidence into consistent play, Tennessee may prioritise veteran depth or look elsewhere on the roster.
Locally in Lévis, the similarity of the names has generated curiosity more than consequence. The quarterback’s statements are part of a broader NFL narrative about injured young players trying to re-establish themselves after setbacks and the competitive nature of roster pecking orders.
As training camp progresses, observers will be watching how many reps Levis receives, how his arm responds under full workload and whether he can translate confidence into measurable performance against opponents and in the eyes of the Titans’ coaching staff.
