Steve Spurrier once famously remarked, “If you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have one.” Brian Callahan echoed a similar sentiment during his Monday press conference, stating that both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph will play quarterback for the Tennessee Titans in their upcoming game against the Houston Texans. While it’s unclear what the Titans’ rationale is behind this decision, some might view it as a move to fully embrace the rebuilding process and secure a higher draft pick. If it serves to ensure the team’s tanking strategy, then perhaps it’s the right call for the long-term future.
As for Levis, it seems that the experiment with him as the future of the Titans’ quarterback position may be winding down. There’s a strong chance—perhaps 50/50—that he may not even be on the roster next season. From a financial standpoint, keeping Levis might make sense, as his contract remains affordable for another couple of years. However, we’ve seen several instances across the league where teams move on from quarterbacks under rookie contracts, opting to cut their losses and search for a better solution. Levis could easily find himself in that category.
Mason Rudolph, who was signed to a one-year contract before the season, is likely to remain as a backup quarterback for the time being. While he could potentially return next season in that same role, his performance has shown that he is best suited for backup duty rather than being the starter for a team hoping to compete. The Titans might decide to keep him as a depth option, but he’s far from being the long-term solution at quarterback.
Ultimately, treating this game as a preseason-like experiment might be the most logical approach. The Titans have an opportunity to secure the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if they lose and the New England Patriots manage to win. Given this scenario, it makes sense for the Titans to prioritize the future and focus on securing a higher draft pick, even if it means sacrificing short-term success for long-term potential.
