Titans QB Will Levis has recalibrated during his three-game absence

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ass Will Levis he reached for the top of his backpack and felt the pocket on his left side collapse. However, this did not stop him from making a deep pass Calvin Ridley chase for a 63-yard score.

According to Next Gen Statistics, the ball traveled 54 meters in the air and ranked second among all passes completed last week. This game against the Houston Texans is an example of the Tennessee Titans’ second-year quarterback and offense finding their stride.

Earlier in the year, Levis insisted on making big plays and often panicked in similar situations. This time, he stood tall and waited for the path to clear before uncorking a big layup to give the Titans the game-winning score (3-8) in a 32-27 victory.

Levis underwent a three-game recalibration process with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder before returning to the field on November 10. He was back in the starting lineup, ready to turn things around after a rocky start that included seven interceptions in six games.

“I made sure I was as committed as if I was playing in practice and did everything I could outside the building to take care of myself physically and mentally,” Levis said. “When I came back, I wanted to make sure I was ready to go and in a great place.”

Over the last three games, Levis has scored 68 points on 748 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. Callahan is content with Levis letting the big plays happen organically.

“He definitely has a calming quality to him now,” Callahan said.

A good example was Sunday when Levis misread and kept the Texans safe Jimmy Ward he returned an interception 65 yards to take the lead late in the third quarter. Such a critical mistake would have crushed Levi’s earlier this year.

This time it was different.

Callahan did not attack Levis as he walked to the sideline. He simply asked what he saw and then told him to “throw the bad play” and go out and win the game. Levis recovered from the mistake and struck out for the tight end Chig Okonkwo for a 70-yard touchdown to regain the lead two runs later.

Having success in training and translating it into games is helping Levi become a more confident quarterback. Highlights that occur in training during the week now appear on Sundays.

Will Levis admitted he feels more comfortable on offense, as do his teammates. Levis said he worked on getting mental reps while the guys got reps when he was unavailable. Now it’s starting to click. pic.twitter.com/maJrEoLIc1

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) November 27, 2024

Over the past three weeks, Levis has completed eight passes of at least 20 yards, including three in each of the last two games. In Levis’ first five starts, the Titans had only nine explosive passes.

Since his return, the coaching staff has spent more time getting a clear picture of what Levis sees in a given situation and helping him find answers to the questions presented by the defense. The extra time allowed for a new understanding between quarterback and quarterback.

“There is a sense of comfort between Will and I,” Callahan said. I’ve got a better feel for the shots, which he’s making really well, and he’s got a lot of confidence throwing the ball down the field now.”

Levis added: “(Callahan’s) did an incredible job of tailoring the game plan to our strengths.”

Levis likes the way Callahan designs and selects hard shots downfield. Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhinethe 38-yard touchdown resulted from a new route concept that Callahan had developed. The Titans found success against the Los Angeles Chargers on routes where the receiver sat in the window between the defender and the safety.

Callahan knew the defense would expect them to get back into it, so he modified the route for Westbrook-Ikhine to slow down as if he was finding a slot, then accelerate upfield when the safety was broken on Levi’s pump fake.

“We kind of looked like we were trying to wrap the fan before the safety, but we just stayed upright,” Callahan said.

The game worked. Levis moved the safety on a pump fake and hit a 38-yard touchdown pass to take a 10-7 lead against the Texans late in the first quarter. Callahan’s confidence in making that throw reinforces his belief that Levi’s situation has “improved dramatically.”

Westbrook-Ikhine believes the confidence Levis has gained allows him to play more freely and “loosen up,” as well as providing a better overall understanding from all parties involved in the offense.

According to Callahan, the pace and spacing of routes are more precise and players are where they need to be when the timing of the play requires Levis to give them the ball.

The bond with Ridley has also blossomed over the past three weeks. Ridley’s catch rate of 67% over the previous period is a significant improvement over the 30% catch rate between them in weeks 1-5.

“I was just trying to figure out what works for me,” Ridley said. “This year at one point I couldn’t catch the ball, so I caught more jugs, more tennis balls, and my body wasn’t responding the way I needed it to, so I got more treatment and stuff.”

Whatever Ridley discovered, it works.

In the first week of Ridley’s new training program, his performance against the Detroit Lions was 143 yards, and in five games he gained 451 yards. If Ridley can keep up, he’ll finish with 1,175 rushing yards, which would be the third-most in a single season since the Titans began playing in Nashville in 1998.

Tennessee’s next test will be against the Washington Commanders on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, CBS at FedEx Field. Washington’s pass defense entered Week 13 allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game (189.1).

It will be a difficult task, but Callahan believes Levis is up to the task.

“I think there’s another level we can go to and from which we can unlock (Levis),” Callahan said.