Will Levis Looking To Raise Titans From Worst To First In AFC South

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis saw the Houston Texans go from last place in the AFC South two years ago to first place last season, and he's also seen the recent influx of talent into a suddenly competitive division. So, excuse him if he's thinking his team is similarly ready for a worst-to-first leap this coming NFL season.

"Yeah, I mean, that's our goal," Levis told OutKick on Wednesday. "It's crazy to think how our division has gone from a second thought in the league to now one of the most competitive, exciting, young divisions. We know what it's going to take because of that now.

"The NFL is the NFL because anyone can win on any day, and we understand that. As much as people like to believe we're not going to be worth anything this year, we're going out there, not necessarily to prove them wrong, but to prove ourselves right and show people what we're about."

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 29: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans throws the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Will Levis Must Join List Of Fine QBs 

Levis and the Titans report to training camp next Tuesday. And if the Titans, lined with new talent, boasting a new coaching staff, and carrying high hopes, are indeed going to be a factor in the chase for the postseason, Levis has to lead the charge.

Tennessee, you see, plays in a conference stocked with great quarterbacks. Consider the lineup:

Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert, and Tua Tagovailoa all play in the AFC. That isn't even mentioning Patrick Mahomes who reigns over all of them as a three-time Super Bowl champion.

So, if the Titans are going to compete at any high level, Levis has to find a way of climbing onto that list of outstanding quarterbacks by this time next year.

"Yeah, we know it's a competitive league," Levis said. "We're not focused on the names on the other teams. We're just focused on the names in our locker room and how we can [lift] up each other to the best of our abilities and reach our potential.

"But, yeah, it's a grind for sure. Because of all those people, we know there's [competition] and anyone can win on any given Sunday. But it's not going to be worth it for us to focus on people other than ourselves."

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas., Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.

A Busy Offseason For Titans' Levis

Levis has indeed been focusing on himself this offseason. He's been doing promotion work on behalf of NOBULL apparel, for which he is a spokesman. He's learning a new offense installed by new Titans coach Brian Callahan. He's been working on getting his body right after struggling with some lower body injuries last season, and says that has led to him losing four or five pounds.

Levis has, in short, been managing a hectic offseason, so that when the regular season comes, he's in position to make a seismic second-year leap that so many NFL players experience from their rookie to the second season.

"I think just having a year of being the guy and going through all the spring and OTA periods stuff of being the starter, and really taking the bull by the horns, has been big for me -- as opposed to last year waiting around, waiting for an opportunity, and jumping in midway through the season," Levis said.

"Having a full offseason and now a full training camp, I'm really, really excited getting the ball rolling and developing as a player and a leader."

Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Titans Bonding Before Training Camp 

That leadership was recently on display when Levis gathered receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, tight ends Chigoziem Okonkwo and Josh Whyle, and running back Tyjae Spears in Cabo San Lucas for four days and three nights of work and bonding.

"I wanted to bring out as many guys as possible , but we had a great group of six of us out there," Levis said. "I took that really seriously, and we got some really good work out there. And even more importantly, some really great team bonding and getting to know each other.

"It was a great time."

Levis is in an interesting situation now. He's not yet arrived, but he exudes a confidence that suggests that arrival looms. It's in everything he says during our 15-minute conversation.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) dives just short of a first down with Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) tripping him up during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.

Will Levis Eyes AFC Playoffs

Consider his collaboration with NOBULL...

"We obviously have a lot of competitors and we're trying to disrupt the market,' he said. "And I'm trying to do my part in blowing it up how I can. And being as good a face for it as I can."

Then on his role in the Titans' new and evolving offense…

"I think that as long as the quarterback earns the trust of the coach in the system, then we have opportunities to do some really cool and fun things," Levis said, "so that's my goal to continue to earn that trust and get the ball in the air as much as possible. Start whipping it around."

And, perhaps most importantly, getting the Titans back in the postseason for the first time since the 2021 season…

"We're trying to make a playoff run," Levis said. "We've been looking the last couple of years to make something shake, and we feel like we have a team now to make it happen."