After the Tennessee Titans selected Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they followed up by drafting quarterback Will Levis from Kentucky in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
With Levis now emerging as the team’s focal point, Malik Willis, who has seen limited action in the NFL, may be in need of a fresh start. Currently listed as the QB3 on the Titans’ depth chart, Willis’ performance in his first preseason game was underwhelming. He managed just 37 passing yards on five attempts and added 42 rushing yards, leading the offense to only three points over four series.
Given his struggles with consistency and decision-making, Bleacher Report suggests that the Titans should consider placing Willis on the trade block for the upcoming season.
“Willis has shown difficulties with consistency and decision-making in his limited field time, which raises doubts about his readiness for a starting NFL role,” Bleacher Report notes. “Despite his impressive physical attributes, including a strong arm and dual-threat capabilities, GM Ran Carthon might find that Willis would benefit from a new environment where he has a clearer path to playing time.”
Although the Titans may not secure a substantial return for Willis, trading him could resolve ongoing concerns for the team. Without Willis, the Titans would eliminate the possibility of fan and media pressure for a mid-season quarterback change, which could be a relief given his current status as QB3.
This situation mirrors the San Francisco 49ers’ recent decision to trade quarterback Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick, highlighting a similar scenario where a promising but underperforming quarterback was moved for a potential fresh start.