The Tennessee Titans busting out the throwback “Luv Ya Blue” Houston Oilers jerseys was one change involving the AFC South team on Sunday for Week 8. But after a stellar debut from rookie Will Levis, the next change could involve Ryan Tannehill and his Nashville future.
Will Levis Goes Off Against the Atlanta Falcons
Before the game, the veteran starter Tannehill was a scratch due to his ankle ailment.
Levis was given the reins behind center for the Atlanta Falcons contest in which the Titans channeled their Houston history. Levis delivered the kind of performance that would’ve looked like numbers from Warren Moon in the early 1990s.
MORE: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart
The rookie out of Kentucky, who was once considered a first-round talent before dropping to the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft, began a four-touchdown day by hitting WR DeAndre Hopkins for a 47-yard strike. The newfound Levis and “D-Hop” connection, though, wasn’t through.
Hopkins caught another touchdown pass from Levis on a 16-yarder. Then, on their longest connection of the afternoon, Levis hit the perennial Pro Bowler on this 61-yarder.
#Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins is coming ALIVE with Will Levis at QB 😳
The rookie-vet connection is heating up 🔥
3 touchdowns on the day!
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 29, 2023
And, when the rookie didn’t need to turn to the veteran Hopkins for six points, he instead found Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for this 33-yard bomb — which became touchdown No. 4 from the arm of the rookie.
#Titans QB Will Levis is out there DEALING!
4 passing TDs today, SHEESH 😮💨
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 29, 2023
Levis’ final tally: 19 of 29 passing, 238 yards, four touchdowns, and he was never intercepted at all in the 28-23 win over Atlanta.
Levis tasted his first NFL victory, but will he taste more after the NFL’s trade deadline?
What Levis’ Breakout Day Could Mean for Ryan Tannehill’s Future
Here’s where Levis surpassed the 35-year-old Tannehill: Levis already has more touchdown throws through one game than Tannehill has produced all season.
Before his injury, Tannehill was left with just two touchdown passes and six interceptions. And along with nursing an injured ankle, Tannehill had already been hearing his name in trade circles.
He’s in the final year of his four-year, $118 million deal he signed with the Titans as he becomes an unrestricted free agent for the 2024 offseason. He also holds a base salary of $27 million for the 2023 season.
@Titans got the job done and will Levis went nuts 🥜 #🐺 pic.twitter.com/r4E3CgvclL
— Delanie Walker (@delaniewalker82) October 29, 2023
Levis’ huge outing lifted the Titans to 3-4 overall and kept their early playoff hopes alive. In the process, he earned a new fan in Week 8 in former Titan Delanie Walker.
But after going crazy in his league debut, Levis may have also convinced the Titans that they got their QB1 of the future — and may have given the franchise new leverage in making a deal to clear cap space as the trade deadline draws near.
Tannehill Landing Spots: Who Could Take Interest?
What’s one team to officially monitor? The Minnesota Vikings.
This comes off the heels of Kirk Cousins going down with an Achilles tear in the Vikings’ game against the Green Bay Packers, which likely ends his season. Minnesota is now down to rookie Jaren Hall, and at 4-4, the Vikings may not believe in the young quarterback to keep their season afloat. Tannehill, given his past postseason experience, makes a lot of sense.
But trades could additionally prompt reunions. In this case, perhaps a reunion with Arthur Smith may come into play. Smith was the offensive coordinator behind Tannehill’s lone Pro Bowl season of 2019.
The Falcons, like the Vikings, are 4-4, but the jury is still out on if Desmond Ridder can be a full-time starter. And Atlanta ended up turning to Taylor Heinicke for its game against Tennessee. Tannehill knows Smith’s scheme, which can bode well for a Falcons team trying to remain in the NFC South race.
One more team that could come into play, and more so out of desperation, is the Green Bay Packers. Patience is starting to wear thin on the Jordan Love experiment as the 2020 first-rounder has completed only 57.5% of his passes, and the Packers have dropped to 2-5.
By heading to Lambeau, it would give Tannehill a chance to work with Matt LaFleur and make up for lost time. LaFleur and Tannehill barely missed each other in Nashville, as the former was the Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2018. Plus, with the Packers currently holding two wins on the year, Green Bay may need to make a swift move to save their season.
Finally, one more team worth monitoring is the New York Giants. With Daniel Jones dealing with a neck ailment and Tyrod Taylor going down with a rib injury on Sunday, the G-Men are down to undrafted rookie and local favorite Tommy DeVito.
Depth will become a major issue moving forward unless New York addresses it by Halloween. They may now need to orchestrate a move to get Tannehill.
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