NASHVILLE – When Will Levis arrived in Tennessee following the NFL Draft, he wanted to prove he belonged.
As the Titans quarterback packed up his belongings at the end of his rookie season, he felt good about his progress.
But it left him hungry for more.
"(The overall season) didn't go how we wanted it to, with the record, and that's what you're going to look at – we needed to win more games to do what we wanted to do, which is to win a championship," Levis said on Monday. "Personally, I did a lot of good things and developed pretty well.
"I think I am able to go into next year with confidence, knowing I can do this. Even with the shortcomings I had here and there, I showed some promise, I think."
After being inactive the first six games of the season, Levis ended up starting nine games in 2023, and he completed 149-of-255 passes (58.4%) for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 84.2.
Levis became the third rookie quarterback in franchise history to start at least nine games, joining Vince Young (13 starts in 2006) and Marcus Mariota (12 starts in 2015).
Levis ended the year with ankle and foot injuries, which ended up costing him playing time at the end of the season. Levis was also slowed with quad injury he suffered in August.
Levis, who threw for four touchdowns in his NFL debut against the Falcons on October 29, thinks the time waiting and learning behind veteran Ryan Tannehill helped with his development.
"The way it all worked out was pretty serendipitous, in terms of when I was even healthy enough to start playing and when Ryan got hurt," Levis said. "At that point I feel like I took my preparation up the next level and got myself ready and kind of had that approach even before I got the opportunity to get the job."
Levis said he learned a lot during his rookie season, from a play and execution standpoint.
Now, his plan is to get healthy, feel better, and get ready for Year 2.
"I need to get better with some of my timing throws, especially throwing to my left," Levis said. "I feel like I closed myself off a lot, so trusting my placement and trusting my footwork (is key). There were some good things across the board, but obviously a few I need to work on, too.
"But I am excited. I am just ready to attack. First and foremost, I need to get my body back, and I am excited to be able to show these guys a physical condition that no one has seen me yet."
