The Tennessee Titans, routinely on the fringe of success, are expected to move on from Will Levis after the second-round pick has proven to be an awkward fit for their system. As much as this does not mean Levis can’t ball out elsewhere, it does mean the Titans will be looking to upgrade the position. Does it come in the form of the No. 1 overall pick this April, or a veteran presence? Or maybe both?
Titans Predicted to Land Veteran QB
As PFSN’s Ben Rolfe points out, a move for a rookie quarterback likely means a veteran presence also comes to Tennessee.
And while several names have been tossed around, there’s one prediction that seems to make the most sense for all sides.
Rolfe writes, “The Tennessee Titans’ offseason is set to be fascinating. They are expected to take a quarterback with the first overall pick, but whether it is Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, there is no guarantee that they will be ready to start in 2025. Therefore, the Titans could need a bridge quarterback this season.
One of the priorities for this season in Tennessee must be stability and a winning feeling. Bringing back Mason Rudolph or letting Will Levis continue to run wild does not necessarily do that, and throwing a rookie quarterback in before he is ready is rarely a smart move. Therefore, signing a veteran like Russell Wilson on a one-year deal is the short-term option.
Wilson would bring some stability to the quarterback room and is not a quarterback who will upset the fanbase every week with bad throws. Wilson will likely be looking for something more permanent, so this might be a deal that takes a while to develop, but this move could make sense for both sides in 2025.”
Entering his age 37-season, Wilson isn’t quite the stud he once was. But if he proved anything during his stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, it’s that he still has plenty of gas in the tank. One could argue that Wilson’s famous “moon balls” have actually improved, which he showed after taking over the reins from Justin Fields midway through the year.
Before slipping down the stretch and closing the 2024-25 NFL season on a four-game skid, Wilson had the Steelers in first place in the AFC North at 10-3. Through the 11 total games he started last season, Wilson posted a 95.6 passer rating with a 16:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and another 2,482 yards under his arm.
Russell Wilson’s 2024-25 NFL Season
As PFSN’s QB+ metrics note, “After ranking 29th over the final four weeks, Wilson largely put together a solid showing on Wild Card Weekend. He finished with a B- grade on the week (80.5) and was far from the reason that the Steelers lost to the Ravens.
Wilson finished with a 0.10 EPA/DB, 8.7 nYPA, and a 40% third-down conversion rate, all of which are good without being good enough. While he didn’t cost the Steelers the game, he didn’t really do anything to win it for them, either.
Wilson will be a free agent this offseason, and Pittsburgh has some tough decisions to make. They looked toothless in the playoffs, but the Steelers are unlikely to find a viable starting quarterback this offseason, which could open the door to another year under Wilson’s stewardship.
Wilson has been fine since taking over as the starter, but he hasn’t elevated Pittsburgh over what Fields provided or proven to be any “safer.” He finishes the year with a -0.00 EPA/DB (23rd) and ranks outside the top 20 both from a clean pocket (0.23 EPA/DB) and when pressured (-0.38 EPA/DB).
Wilson has struggled in the fourth quarter of close games (28th) and has just a 38.8% conversion rate on third down (17th).
Wilson now heads into the offseason as a free agent. He has stated that he expects to be back with the Steelers, but that is far from certain. Wilson’s options to start are fairly slim. There may be roles open in Tennessee, Las Vegas, and both New York teams as a veteran bridge option to a younger quarterback.”
And right now, a team like the Titans feels like the ideal landing spot — a place where Wilson can start for at least one more season and truly put his leadership skills on display. Time will tell.
