Monday morning brought news that Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis will miss the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury sustained last season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news about the young and embattled passer.
Titans QB Will Levis will be undergoing season-ending surgery on the right shoulder injury he sustained early last year before further aggravating it later in the season. Levis has been unable to shake the discomfort and his shoulder still is bothering him.
Levis is, in the… pic.twitter.com/FPV8g5GhUi
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 21, 2025
The Titans drafted Cam Ward with the first overall selection in April’s draft, supplanting Levis as the projected starter. Tennessee attempted to deflect attention away from Ward’s eventual coronation as the new starter under center numerous times. The move is all but sealed now with the injury to Levis. While the quarterback room was always going to belong to Ward, the depth chart behind him is perilously thin, leaving only Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
The Titans organization issued a terse statement regarding Levis’ decision to undergo surgery on the eve of training camp, as seen below. There is speculation that Levis made the decision solely without consulting the franchise, which is his collectively bargained right to do so.
Will Levis to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
Story: https://t.co/oEXz8RbqKN pic.twitter.com/i6cPHBuzMt
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) July 21, 2025
Training camp opens tomorrow, with several roster spots still up for grabs and a quarterback injury that has created an opening. How the Titans will proceed in filling the quarterback room is going to be an interesting watch. What are some external options that they could pursue if they wanted?
Wentz is the best available arm with bona fide starting credentials and brings backup championship experience. The former first-round selection has had a tumultuous career but has settled into a veteran backup role. He is a nine-year veteran with eyes on a tenth season, having served as Patrick Mahomes’ backup last year. Wentz would provide Cam Ward with a veteran mentor who has seen it all as a top selection.
Beathard is another former AFC South quarterback with starting experience, having previously served as the primary backup to Trevor Lawrence for three seasons. The well-respected veteran got his start with San Francisco, making 12 starts in 19 appearances. While not the flashiest option, he could be a steady and reliable choice, much better than Allen and Boyle.
The former Pro Bowl passer’s journey in the league is an interesting one, having started multiple games due to injury. Huntley served as perennial MVP candidate Lamar Jackson’s backup before moving on to Miami last season. Due to Tua Tagovailoa’s propensity for injury, he started five games in 2024, throwing for 824 yards and three touchdowns. According to Aaron Wilson, he was among the players that the Bengals worked out before signing Desmond Ridder on Sunday. Interestingly, Huntley started in the game in which Levis suffered one of his injuries, and Mason Rudolph had to come in to spell him.
Tennessee could also opt to wait until teams have to pare down their rosters and make a claim for a backup. Names like Jake Browning, Bailey Zappe, DTR, Case Keenum, or Cleveland’s arsenal of legends could be worth monitoring. If Browning is released due to Ridder’s signing, he would be the instant favorite to sign in Tennessee because of his ties to Brian Callahan.
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