NASHVILLE – Will Levis, like the rest of his teammates, has put in the work.
Now, it's time to play ball.
"It feels great, it's exciting," Levis said after Wednesday's practice. "Guys are just ready to get after it. The preseason and all that is fun, but it's time for the real deal and this is what we've been working towards. It's great that it's finally here, and it's good that it's football season. It's good to be back."
On Sunday, the Titans will kick off the 2024 regular season in Chicago against the Bears.
Levis, who took over as the team's starting quarterback midway through his rookie season in 2023, has spent all of 2024 getting ready to run a new offense, under a new head coach, with plenty of new teammates surrounding him.
The challenge right out of the gate on Sunday is a big one, he said.
"Very impressed," Levis said of the Bears defense. "They look really good on all levels. The (offensive) line is ready for a big front – good rushers on the outside, and good, strong penetrating rushers inside. And they performed as well as they did toward the end of (last) year for a reason. You see the turnovers, you see the ball disruption, the lack of rush yards they were giving up. It's a great challenge for us to get out there and see what we can get done in Week One."
In 2023, after being inactive the first six games of the season, Levis ended up starting nine games.
Levis completed 149-of-255 passes (58.4%) for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 84.2.
Coach Brian Callahan, after working alongside Levis since being hired, believes his second-year QB is ready for this moment.
"Everything he's done so far, he's ready for the moment," Callahan said. "There's no question in my mind. He's going to have to play well for us, obviously. But, just as his demeanor, his confidence, his comfort with the offense, all of those things have shown that, he's ready to go play football. I can't wait to see it, and I'm excited for him to be able to show people, how far he's come as well. So it's, it's exciting for both of us in that regard."
Levis said he wants Titans fans to see him looking more comfortable in Year 2, like he's seeing things well. He aims to make good decisions for his teammates, and coaches.
Last week, Levis was elected as one of the team's five captains by his teammates.
"It's just trusting what I see," Levis said. "And I think that's one of the things I've improved on the most, just playing ball and doing the right thing over and over and over again. And, just knowing as long as you keep making those right decisions, you are going to keep putting your team in the best place to succeed.
"…I just feel ready, and I'm looking forward to putting it on display."
