Insider gets real about Titans' alleged QB competition between Cam Ward, Will Levis

Individuals within the Tennessee Titans, such as general manager Mike Borgonzi and head coach Brian Callahan, have tried their best to convince outsiders they're holding a legitimate competition for the team's starting quarterback job between rookie Cam Ward and 2023 second-round draft pick Will Levis.

For an article published on Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated seemingly confirmed what many already knew to be true regarding Tennessee's quarterback plans. 

"Barring something unforeseen, Cam Ward will be a Week 1 starting quarterback," Breer wrote. "...Yes, the Titans are holding a competition at the position. But the reality is it’s a competition in name only. The reps between Ward and Will Levis are two-to-one. Ward’s progress has been steady. If things keep going the way they have been, the No. 1 pick will start Sept. 7 [at the Denver Broncos]."

Breer's update is hardly surprising, considering Callahan benched Levis for poor play this past December, months before Tennessee made Ward the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Back in late May, Levis said plenty about his chances of entering September atop the depth chart when he admitted that his current situation "sucks."

Per Pro Football Reference, Levis finished the 2024 regular season with a league-worst (among qualified players) 27.8 adjusted QBR. He was 31st out of 36 quarterbacks with an 81.4 passer rating and 35th with a 36.5 percent passing success rate. He lost 10 of 12 starts, and he recorded 13 touchdown passes with 12 interceptions over 12 games. 

"This is a reversal for Tennessee coach Brian Callahan after he handed the job to Levis last year without a competition," Breer continued. "...After how that went with Levis, I certainly understand why Callahan would want to give Ward the chance to earn the job and for Ward’s teammates to have the opportunity to see that before getting behind him as they did Levis last year."

By all accounts, Ward impressed teammates and coaches throughout springtime workouts up until the Titans wrapped up their mandatory minicamp last week. Tennessee's Week 1 QB1 job was always Ward's to lose, and it sounds like he's on track to face the Broncos in Denver on the first Sunday of September.