Why Titans held onto Will Levis despite drafting Cam Ward

Weeks before the Tennessee Titans grabbed Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker suggested that Ward and 2023 second-round selection Will Levis could compete for the team's starting job this summer. 

Nevertheless, some were surprised that Tennessee held onto Levis through the completion of the draft. 

On Monday, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi explained why he didn't shop Levis during this year's player-selection process. 

"It's a lot of value," Borgonzi said about holding onto Levis, per
Turron Davenport of ESPN. "There is going to be competition in every room, and he elevates the competition in that room. That is what we're trying to do here as we get into training camp. We want to have the best 90-man roster and the best competition in every room, and Will certainly provides that."

On paper, Ward likely will be viewed as the favorite to begin the 2025 season as Tennessee's QB1. That's understandable considering the club's investment in the prospect and the fact that Levis was benched this past December due to poor play. 

Per Pro Football Reference, Levis ended the 2024 regular season ranked last in the NFL among 36 qualified players with a 27.8 adjusted QBR. In total, he tossed 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions over 12 starts. 

Such numbers show why Levis probably didn't have much trade value this spring. Nevertheless, one NFC quarterbacks coach recently told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated that the Titans should consider sitting Ward "for a year or two to avoid reinforcing" bad habits seen on the 22-year-old's college film. 

Such a scenario playing out seems unlikely, but it sounds like Levis will receive legitimate opportunities to keep Ward on the sidelines through this fall. 

"As we head into the offseason, it's going to be a competition," Borgonzi added about the club's quarterback situation. "These guys are going to get an equal amount of reps at the beginning and they will separate themselves as we head into training camp. The idea is to have competition in the room. I am sure reps will change at some point as people separate themselves."

For what it's worth, the Carolina Panthers didn't immediately name Bryce Young their starter after they made him the first pick of the 2023 draft. That said, the Chicago Bears quickly gave Caleb Williams the keys to their offense last spring. 

There's no one perfect way for teams to develop young quarterbacks, but recent history shows Ward is probably already penciled in atop Tennessee's depth chart.