Titans QB Will Lewis recalibrated during three-game absence

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As Will Levis reached the top of his backpack, he felt the pocket on the left side collapse. But that didn’t stop him from throwing a deep pass to be chased by Calvin Ridley for a 63-yard completion.

The ball traveled 54 yards in the air and had the second-most air yards of any pass completed last week, according to Next Gen Stats. This game against the Houston Texans illustrates how the Tennessee Titans’ sophomore quarterback and passing attack are finding their groove.

Earlier this year, Lewis was eager to make big plays and often panicked in these situations. This time, he stood tall and waited for the path to clear before making the big throw that would have been the winning score for the Titans (3-8) in a 32-27 win.

Levis went through something of a recalibration process while he was out for three games with a Grade 2 AC sprain in his right shoulder before returning to the field on Nov. 10. He re-emerged into the starting lineup, ready to make a difference after a poor start that included seven interceptions in six games.

“I tried to be as involved in the game as I could be if I was playing in practice and doing everything I could outside of the building to take care of myself physically and mentally,” Levis said. “I wanted to make sure that when I came back, I was ready to go and in a great place.”

Levis has a 68 completion percentage while passing for 748 yards and five touchdowns over the last three games. Callahan is pleased that Levis is allowing big plays to happen organically.

“Having him around now is definitely calming,” Callahan said.

A good example was Sunday, when Levis read the ball poorly and Texans cornerback Jimmy Ward had a 65-yard interception to take the lead late in the third quarter. Such a critical mistake would have crushed Levi’s earlier this year.

This time everything was different.

Callahan did not attack Levis as he entered the sideline. He simply asked what he saw and then told him to “throw away the bad game” and go out and win the game. Levis corrected the mistake and connected with tight end Chig Okonkwo for a 70-yard touchdown to retake the lead two series later.

Having success in practice and transferring it into games helps Levis become a more confident defender. The big games that happen in practice during the week now happen on Sundays.

Will Lewis admitted that he feels more comfortable on offense, as do the guys around him. Levis said he worked on getting mental reps while the guys got reps when he wasn’t available. Now it’s starting to click. pic.twitter.com/maJrEoLIc1

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) November 27, 2024

Over the past three weeks, Levis has completed eight passes of at least 20 yards, including three in each of the previous two games. In Levis’ first five starts, the Titans had just nine explosive passes.

Since his return, the coaching staff has taken more time to get a clear picture of what Levis sees in situations and help him find answers to the messages the defense is presenting to him. The extra time brought about a new understanding between defender and player.

“There’s a certain level of comfort between Will and I,” Callahan said. “I’ve gotten a better feel for the throws he makes very well, and he feels very confident throwing the ball down the field now.”

Levis added, “(Callahan) did an amazing job of just adapting the game plan to our strengths.”

Levis likes the way Callahan develops and dials up pitches. Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ihin’s 38-yard touchdown was the result of a new route concept that Callahan developed. The Titans had success against the Los Angeles Chargers on routes where the receiver was positioned in the window between the linebacker and defensive back.

Callahan knew the defense expected them to come back to him, so he adjusted Westbrook-Eakhin’s route to let off the throttle as if he were finding a window, then accelerate up the field as the safety tripped on the pump tampered with by Levis.

“We felt like we were going to wrap the defender in front of the safety and we just put him vertical,” Callahan said.

The performance worked. Levis moved the safety with a pump fake and punted for a 38-yard touchdown to take a 10–7 lead late in the first quarter against the Texans. The solid execution of this throw reinforces Callahan’s belief that Lewis’s situation has “improved dramatically.”

Westbrook-Ihin believes the confidence Levis has found allows him to play freely and “let it all out” and there is a better overall understanding from all parties involved in the offense.

The timing and spacing of routes is more precise, Callahan said, and players are where they need to be when play time calls for Levis to pass the ball to them.

The bond with Ridley has also strengthened over the past three weeks. The Ridley catch rate of 67% over the previous period is a big improvement from the 30% between them in weeks 1-5.

“I was just figuring out what worked for me,” Ridley said. “This year I couldn’t catch the ball at one point, so I caught more balls, more tennis balls, and my body didn’t respond the way I needed it to, so I got more treatment and stuff.”

Whatever Ridley found, it works.

In the first week after Ridley adopted the new routine, he posted 143 receiving yards against the Detroit Lions, and in five games he had 451 receiving yards. If Ridley keeps up his pace, he’ll finish with 1,175 yards, which would be the third-highest total in a single season since the Titans first started playing in Nashville in 1998.

Tennessee’s next test comes against the Washington Commanders on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at FedEx Field. Washington’s pass defense entered Week 13 allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game (189.1).

It won’t be an easy task, but Callahan feels Levis is up to the task.

“I think there’s another level we can get to and open it up (Levis),” Callahan said.