By Nick Brinkerhoff
When the dust settles and the music stops on this year’s NFL Offseason, fans will begin to realize just how confusing the Tennessee Titans are.
For a team with an older cast of characters and a championship window that may be closing, if not shut entirely already, the Titans spent this offseason making sure every person around the NFL has no idea what their intentions are.
Did the AFC’s number one seed in 2021 signal an eye toward the future, or can they still compete this season? Is the best chance to compete with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, or does that actually fall on the shoulders of the rookie backup just brought into the fold?
Who is the Tennessee Titans backup quarterback?
Perhaps shockingly in the third round, the Titans selected Liberty University quarterback Malik Willis with the 86th overall pick in the draft. It’s incredible value for a team that could be looking for a Tannehill replacement in the coming years, as he’s proven the team will need an upgrade to reach it’s true potential.
Willis was largely thought to be a first round pick in this year’s draft, even considered to be the first quarterback off the board at one point. However, in a draft that was said to be lacking in quality quarterbacks, Willis fell to the third round and can potentially be the future for the Titans.
But what about this season? To put it lightly, Willis is a project at best right now. Scouts have voiced concerns over his pro-readiness, which may have been a reason he fell so much in what was considered a weak quarterback class.
With the Titans somehow still considering themselves a contender, it’s questionable that they seem set on Willis as the backup to Tannehill. But Tennessee will only go as far as star running back Derrick Henry takes them, a stark contrast to the modern NFL.
That’s why Willis’ pro readiness concerns baffle me in a way. After trading away star receiver A.J. Brown, the Titans will almost surely rely more, somehow, on the running game. That is where Willis thrives.
I’ve always been of the belief that you should throw the rookie quarterback into the fire and let them learn on the fly, but that’s one philosophy. The Titans know what they have in Tannehill and that’s what makes Willis a great and exciting unknown. If he has a chance to win the backup job in camp, then he deserves a chance to win the starting job in camp too.
Tennessee should have no problems tailoring an offense built around a running game. Just look at what Baltimore does for Lamar Jackson. Now that’s not to say that Willis is Jackson because that would be insane at this stage. But if Willis lights up Nissan Stadium with his prolific running ability, playing in a run-pass-option (RPO) style offense, is that not a good thing for the Titans?
Are we even sure they can truly compete this year anyway? Maybe I’m lower on the Titans than most, but Willis deserves a chance to show his skills off. His arm strength and mobility allow him a chance to have a Jalen Hurts type impact in Nashville, while also giving them a chance to potentially this year and keep the championship window open longer.
Odds are, giving the new QB the keys are the Titans best chance. Yes, I’m talking about Willis. Sorry, but that was too easy.