Titans rookie QB Will Levis to make second career start vs Steelers on TNF

Tennessee Titans (3-4) rookie quarterback Will Levis will make his second-career start in the Week 9 road tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) on “Thursday Night Football.”

Levis, Tennessee’s 2023 second-round pick out of Kentucky, got the start this past Sunday in place of Ryan Tannehill, who was sidelined with a high ankle sprain. Tannehill remains out this week, paving the way for Levis to be under center once again.

In terms of keeping the job once Tannehill is healthy, Levis made quite the impression in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons (4-4). The 24-year-old completed 19-of-29 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Titans to a 28-23 victory.

“It was crazy – I couldn’t really take any time to celebrate,” Levis said Tuesday, via the team’s website. “Obviously, I took the moment and enjoyed it with my family, and the loved ones that I had there. But like coach said, our minds had to flip to Pittsburgh at 4 o’clock on Sunday with the quick turnaround.”

Levis etched his name into the history books with his stellar debut, becoming the first and only quarterback in NFL history to throw for four touchdowns, zero interceptions and at least 225 yards with more than a 65% completion percentage in their debut. His 130.5 quarterback rating was the highest for a rookie in their debut since Mac Jones for the New England Patriots in 2021.

His monster performance came against a Falcons defense that entered the day ranked inside the top-10 in scoring defense (9th), passing defense (7th), and total defense (3rd).

Will Levis ready for first road challenge

Though the Steelers enter this matchup with a banged up secondary, Levis knows this challenge will be just a bit different than the one he faced against Atlanta. This time, he’ll have to do it on the road with nearly 70,000 fans waving Terrible Towels — no easy task for a rookie signal-caller.

“Playing or not, I’ve had this game circled on the schedule because of how great the environment is going to be,” Levis said. “I know their fans are going to come out and it’s going to be a nice environment. So, we are ready to handle it. I am looking forward to taking it all in and then just doing my thing.”