“The path to knowledge is filled with consequence,” said Roadkill in Rango (2011).
It’s difficult to encapsulate Will Levis—the physique of an old ECW wrestler, the mannerisms of a cartoon character who just committed a terminal mistake, the flashes of an NFL-veteran quarterback with the weapon of a new-age super-arm. Above all, the mindset of an old west gunslinger.
My official player comparison is Tuco from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1968).
Two reckless, surprisingly talented fellows who constantly have too much dip on their chip but will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Unfortunately for Levis, that ‘do whatever it takes’ attitude works better in movie-land than through the course of an NFL game.
Tennessee’s second-year quarterback has committed nine turnovers in three and a quarter games this season; six in tied or one-score scenarios. His play has been extremely frustrating and counterproductive to winning football. Following the Titans’ Week 1 collapse against the Bears, in which Levis committed two fourth-quarter interceptions, Tennessee Head Coach Brian Callahan said, “If we’d just punted on 1st & 10 every time, we might’ve won the game” (AtoZ Sports Nashville). Tennessee was leading in the fourth quarter until Levis threw an inexcusable pick-six on a throwaway attempt.
This is one side of Levis’s Tuco characterization. Plays and moments where you feel fine leaving them for dead. They’re too greedy for this world. Take him out to the desert and leave him with no water or food for 70 miles in any direction—metaphorically.
Can’t Quit The Will Levis Experience
The following week, versus the New York Jets, Levis attempted a mid-air lateral while in the red zone, resulting in a turnover. As he’s coming off the field, Brian Callahan can be seen saying, ” What the fuck are you doing?!” One month in and Callahan is already beginning to gray under Levis. It’s not a perfect comparison but I liken Callahan the Clint Eastwood to Levis’ Tuco. No matter how many times he leaves him out to pasture in the media, they remain inseparable. Why is that? Because there’s a definite charm to Levis’ game; a facet to him that demands respect.
In the Titans Week 4 matchup versus the Dolphins, Levis threw an opening-drive interception before injuring his shoulder later in the half. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph came in and led Tennessee on seven scoring drives en route to their first victory of the season. Still, following the game, Callahan said, “Will Levis is our starting quarterback… when he’s healthy, he’s starting” (NFL.com). One could argue that this is standard coach talk and that if Levis misses any extended time there will be a real evaluation period on who their QB1 is. But I doubt it.
Benching Will Levis for Mason Rudolph is like turning in Tuco for an extra $2,000. Sure, it raises your financial floor and guarantees a few extra wins, but how will you sleep at night? Double-crossing a real quarterback for the lifelessness that is Mason Rudolph… Because for all his boneheaded mistakes and greedy plays, Will Levis can sling the football, and into windows that many starting quarterbacks cannot.
“Whoever double-crosses me or leaves me alive, he understands nothing about Tuco. Nothing,” (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly).
In 2023, Will Levis led the NFL in average depth of target. He can manipulate defenses post-snap and will test the limits of his arm—admirable for a QB with 13 career starts. Part of learning on the job is discovering what you can get away with. Levis is still making plenty of mistakes but that’s just how it is.
A glass-half-full perspective is that he certainly isn’t losing confidence like Bryce Young. Maybe there’s no concrete evidence that he’s learning and not making the same mistake twice, but sometimes you do make the same mistake twice. Sometimes you make the mistake for your first 20 career starts. A lot of it feels dependent on how he is in meeting rooms and practice. If progress is tangible there, the organization should be inclined to buy in.
Eventually, Clint Eastwood did recognize the value of Tuco Ramirez and they went on to successful voyages—at least for a while.
Still, it feels doubtful that Tennesse will be the decade-long home of Will Levis. He has rambling man written all over him. His journey will take him through the unknown of the NFL quarterback market. But like every true Western character, experience and wisdom will be necessary to match his talent. It’s about knowing when to take your licks. When you’re dropped 70 miles from civilization, don’t attempt a lateral or a hail mary throwaway; walk the path of fourth down.
Will Levis will be in this league for a long time, he’s shown enough to know that. His journey is not in haste.
For all the reactions to week 4’s NFL action check out this youtube video