NASHVILLE – The Titans have kept quarterback Will Levis on speed dial this offseason.
In return, Levis has served as the unofficial chairman of the team's welcoming committee when it comes to the team's new additions.
"The cool thing for him as he grows into this leadership role on this football team," Titans General Manager Ran Carthon said of Levis, "is he asked that every player that we sign, could he get their phone number so he could reach out to them. We love to see that."
Earlier this month, when the Titans agreed to terms with former Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley, things went down like this during the excitement:
"We talked to Calvin, then we talked to Miss Amy," Carthon said. "And then, literally, Will was our next call. We're keeping him in the loop. And Will was super excited about it. He was happy to have him. He's excited about what we're doing."
The Titans are certainly happy with what they've done in free agency so far, adding Ridley, running back Tony Pollard and center Lloyd Cushenberry on offense, not to mention some key additions on the defensive side of the ball as well.
In all, the Titans have signed eight new free agents, while also reportedly adding another prized piece in the secondary via trade.
This at a time when the Titans are excited about Levis, the team's second-round pick in 2023 who will become new head coach Brian Callahan's biggest priority when the offseason program starts on April 8.
Speaking from the NFL owners meetings, Callahan said he's liked what he's seen from Levis in film study, and thinks he has the potential to be really good.
"I think you see a really competitive, tough, intense personality," Callahan said, "and, I think he really wants to be good. That's a starting point – you have a guy like who is eager and willing to do what it takes to be a good player is a really good thing to have to start. On top of that I think he has really good physical, talent. He is strong, he is put together, he can really throw the ball. He has great feet. He is a good runner. All of those things lead me to be excited about what's to come for him. He played just enough (in his rookie season) to learn some lessons, and I think what's ahead for him is exciting."
In 2023, 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.
Heading into his second season, the Titans will work to make sure he gets better.
Levis and the Titans have high hopes.
"We've surrounded (Will) with more playmakers, which I think every quarterback desires," Callahan said. "So, we've had a chance to build some explosiveness I think. … We're trying to give him a chance to have success, and I think as a young quarterback that is all you can ask for, a team investing in the talent around you that gives you a chance to go out and perform.
"Will is really excited. I think it makes him want to work harder. He is an intense personality as it is. It inspires him to go work, which he doesn't have any problem doing. Just the excitement of, man, we're being aggressive, we're trying to add good players. We aren't sitting back, and (we're) being aggressive in our offseason approach. I think he is appreciates it and I think he is excited about it."
