NASHVILLE – The Titans made a quarterback change this week.
Coach Brian Callahan announced earlier this week that Mason Rudolph will be the team's starter this Sunday against the Colts, as Will Levis heads to the sideline as a back-up.
It produced a lot of discussion in Titan Land, and it spilled into this weekend's mailbag.
But we'll discuss other topics as well…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Ben Mead from Cherry Valley, New York
Question: Good morning, Jim. I wanted to write in to ask about the recent allegations that this team and Brian Callaghan are "soft". As someone who I'm sure was there for Brian's response and is constantly around the players. What are your thoughts on what this has done to the team as a whole? Has this lit a fire under a team that at this point in the season is searching for a reason to go out and battle? I'm hoping that a change at QB along with some additional fuel on the fire will be the spark this team needs to come out and show everyone against a division rival, who they are or at least could be. I still have faith in Brian Callaghan, but fear he is losing favor with alot of Titans Nation. He needs a statement game of what we all thought this team would be at the start of the season! Is this the week this team comes out and steps up for a coach who has clearly done that for them?
Jim: Hey Ben. Well, I thought it created a bunch of chatter about a nothing topic if you ask me, which you did. These Titans aren't 3-11 because they're soft. These Titans are 3-11 because they've turned the ball over too much, been penalized too often, they haven't protected the QB well enough, and frankly, because they just haven't been a good football team. Some folks want to throw Jarvis Brownlee's name out there because he said it was cold in Washington. He's far from soft, and he's far from being the first guy to complain about the cold. I remember Jevon Kearse, another south Florida guy, openly complaining about the cold. You think he's soft? As for how the team plays on Sunday because it, well, I think they'll approach the game – and play – like they have all season. And if the team loses and drops to 3-12, it won't be because it's a soft team.
Bill Holmes from Fairport, New York
Question: Jim, I'm not among those celebrating the Levis demotion. Our season was over a month ago, so I figured at this point the FO kept playing him to see if he had the "right stuff" for the future. Now I think (hope?) they are playing Rudolph (no Christmas puns here) to see what other offensive players have the "right stuff". You need to at least run the offense capably to truly evaluate the other 10 guys on every play. I hope it isn't just about winning - what difference does 3, 4,, 5 or 6 wins mean? I get that everyone wants to win, but if we tread water with meaningless games we'll just be facing the same problems next season. Use this time to make hard choices.
I'll continue to celebrate the good moments - like Sweat's rumblin'/stumblin' stiff-arm fumble recovery. So many were writing him off as a wasted pick, but he's been one of the few bright lights this year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours and my fellow "Ask Jim" members. Hope Santa brings us Travis Hunter.
Jim: Happy Holidays, Bill. Thanks for taking the time.
Marc-Olivier Paquet from Quebec, Canada
Question: Hi Jim. I'm a big fan from Quebec in Canada. Sorry if I make english mistake, i'm a french canadian. I love Tennessee Titans since Steve McNair, Eddie Georges, Jevon Kearse era. No matter what happens on the field, I'm still a big Titans fan. So I'm writing you about Will Levis.
I compare career stat of Will Levis with Josh Allen. 2 QB with big arms. I'm not saying Will Levis is the next Josh Allen. Even last year de Buffalo Bills change offensive coordinator. But Josh Allen first couple years was far from what it is now, one of the best QB in the league. Does Buffalo complains about him at the start of is career?
Let's give the chance to the kid to play a second season with the same coaching staff. Yeah he play two bad game in a row, but thats the part of having a young QB in a new offensive. It is Up and Down with everybody. We can't blame everything on Levis, Callahan calling is predictable. First time head coaching, first time calling play. So yeah, I know it will take more than 1 years for everybody to be better. I'm a Titans fans for more than 20 years, I know it is hard to be patient, but we need too. Nobodys is claiming defensive coordinator head Dennard Wilson when the redzone defense is allowing 100% touchdown... So why be patient with other players and coaches but not with the QB... It doesn't make sense to me calling for the head of a young athlete. He need to learn from is mistake. Give him time to grow, cause before the two last game, he played well enough a couple of game. So why a lot of people ask for a new QB?? He's playing behind one if not worst offensive line in the NFL. How many drops do the wide receiver have all years. Let me tell you, a lot. And the Titans gave a lot of money to Calvin Ridley, but he have so many drops and nobody talks about it. Yes he made big catch too, but with the money is making, I expect more from him, less drop anyway. NWI is good this years, particular in the touchdowns zone. But his he really a wide receiver 2?? far from it I think.
What do you think?? Am I that wrong and blind about the situation?
Titans Fans, be patient with everyone one the team, including all players and all coaches
Thank you and have a nice day and great holidays with your family.
Jim: Hello Marc-Oliver. Good to hear from you. I do remember when Josh Allen faced scrutiny, and criticism. He turned the ball over too much, and he made a lot of bad decisions. Folks were, in fact, calling for his job. I remember people calling him a lost cause. Now, he's one of the best QBs in the league. Levis is in a tough spot. He's been benched, and most fans are down, and done, with him. I'm not going to make any bold predictions on him, and what happens from here. The best way to predict the future is to look at the past, and he hasn't provided a lot of reasons to believe he's going to be the next Josh Allen. But, then again, neither did Josh Allen. As for him being benched, I had mixed feelings on the decision. A part of me would've liked to have seen him finish the season, so the team could get as much information on him as possible. More than anything, I think the decision was based on the head coach holding all players accountable. Levis turned the ball over four times against the Jaguars in 2 ½ quarters, and he's turned the ball over a lot this season. I just think enough was enough for Callahan.
Jim Williams from Lubbock, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. The Titans problems are mostly roster related, not coaching. The head coach and all three coordinators are doing their jobs for the first time and they can improve with a year's experience. But the roster has to be improved. The Titans have always used their first round draft choice to fill a specific position need rather than going for an impact player. Both Skoronski and Latham are average starting linemen, and are not performing like a first round draft choice. The roster quality has really decreased over the last two years and the record reflects it. They have so many needs that they should be able to find a high-quality player no matter what their draft position is. Now for my question: What position group do you think will have the most potential impact players in the 2025 NFL draft?
Jim: Hey Jim. No question this roster needs to be upgraded. I haven't studied the 2025 draft yet, so not sure about the strengths across the board. I do know the o-line group is projected to be talented, and deep, and that's a good thing. Heading into the offseason, the Titans will be looking to attack this position.
Bob Galasso from Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Question: Happy Holidays Jim. I wanted to write in and add some positivity to the mailbag despite our Titans not having a great year. I understand the disappointment many fans have regarding the dismal performance this year, BUT we are lucky to have an NFL team to be able to follow despite the ups and downs of how they perform. Yes we all would certainly like to see the team make the playoffs every year and finally capture that elusive Super Bowl... However aren't we fortunate to have a team that we can follow... Miss Amy is one of the warmest Team Owners and you can tell that she really cares about the fan base... Ran Carthon is doing his best as well to build a competitive team, although we have a ways to go... So where are all of you so-called diehard Titans' Fans at... Its easy to Monday Morning Coach or GM and criticize the team's moves and I've done so myself to be honest... Fans pay good money to go to the games and want to see a winner but my message to everyone is to be positive despite the rudeness sometimes or record and get behind the team in good and bad times...
I'm not saying not to voice your opinions and frustrations, just to remember that the Titans are your team and you need to take pride in that... win or lose... I would also like to address you also Jim. When a Team is going through the tribulations and difficulties there is going to be alot of adversity and disgruntlement. As people voice their frustrations in the mailbag and rudeness sometimes you have really been EXCEPTIONAL as a writer, reporter and most of all this Titans team's advocate. Your professional demeanor, openness to others' opinions and tactfulness in addressing all of us, in good times or bad has been nothing short of remarkable.
I have been an Oilers and die-hard fan since 1970 and have been through the good, the bad and the ugly times. The Titans are much more than just a bad couple of seasons... The Titans are OUR football team and hopefully the fans reading this will realize there are alot of cities that would love the opportunity to cheer or jeer their own team. So Jim, may you and your family enjoy the holidays and for those of you out there that have nothing but negative comments hopefully you'll realize how lucky you are to have something to complain about - So wishing you all a Happy Holiday and TITAN UP.
Jim: Thanks for the kind words, Bob. It's been pretty gloomy in here of late for sure. I'm sure there are some in the organization who probably don't like some of the ugly emails that show up in this space, and they might not even like some of my responses. I've always tried to be honest, and tried to keep it real in here, whether it's going good or bad. I've been called a "homer" by some folks on the outside, and I've been told I'm too harsh on the team by some folks on the inside. I try to find a balance, and I know no one wants to read a lot about how good kicker Nick Folk has been after a 10-6 loss. I appreciate everyone reading, and joining in. Hopefully the performance will improve and there will be better things to write about in 2025.
Tom Robertson from Scottsville, Kentucky
Question: Hi Jim. Not a real Titans fan, never have been but I do watch when the Packers aren't on.
The Titans are not that far off. Levis has the talent and he is a competitor, you can see it in his eyes. Levis need Coaching pure and simple. He has a big arm but needs to learn some touch on some of his passes. The defense is rather strong, I don't see many weaknesses. I suffered through the '70's & 80's with the packers but never gave up hope. To all Titans fans...at least you are not the Bears!
Jim: Hey Tom. Must be the holiday season when fans of other teams are stopping in to offer words of encouragement! Thanks for taking the time.
Michael Shelby from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Question: Hi Jim and happy holidays. I have not been a fan of Coach Callahan as the season has progressed and have suffered through this season as we all have. I was particularly unhappy with the Coach saying there were a lot of "good things" happening in the Jaguars game when we did not score a touchdown against the worst defense in the NFL. Nothing makes me more frustrated with coaches when they try to sugarcoat what we all see. ON THE OTHER HAND, I loved Coach Callahan's fiery defense of his team, and his indignation at the team being called soft. As he said, losing games has nothing to do with being soft, and I agree that the Titans have not given up on either the Coach or themselves despite these losses. It is clear he has not lost the team. Does that mean he deserves another year, well that is above my pay grade, but I would love to see what he could do with a real first-string NFL quarterback playing behind a real NFL offensive line. This is after all his first year as a head coach and he is learning.
Jim: Hey Michael. Happy Holidays to you. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this.
Brian Johnson from Jackson, Tennessee
Question: Merry Christmas Jim. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Now on to my questions: 1. With Levis being benched for Mason Rudolph, it begs the question of with the recent struggles of Levis do you think he should have been benched earlier in the season? 2. What do you think the goals of this organization should be in this offseason? I will be looking forward to your thoughts
Jim: Hey Brian. Merry Christmas to you.
This is a tough question. I don't think "benching" Levis earlier in the season was ever an option, because a big part of this year was always going to be about finding out whether he could be the guy. As we all know, he ended up benching himself for three games with the shoulder injury. Now do I think the team would've won more games with Rudolph this season? The honest answer: Probably so. But again, this was always going to be a 'find out about Levis' kind of year. And the team has found out a lot about him.
John Byars from Austin, Texas
Question: I had high hopes for the Titans and for Will Levis coming into this year, even told some folks that the team was going surprise a few people, but after blowing the 17 to 3 lead in game one, and Levis throwing that ill advised toss, cause it sure wasn't a pass, the team has never fully recovered from it, and it only has gotten worse, but a fan I am, so it can only get better down the road, and it's going to take some time, I have seen dark days in Houston, but they also turned it around, be patient and this team's days will also get better, Luv Ya Blue/ Titans too.
Jim: I like the optimism, John!
Joe Foster from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Jim my opinion is the Titans main problem is the O line. It starts and ends there.
I have been a football fan since the early 70's and all the great teams have one thing in common great O line players. Just my opinion.
Jim: Thanks for sharing it, Joe.
Raymond Farrar from St. Louis, Missouri
Question: Hey, Mr. Wyatt! It's been a while since I've reached out to you. I don't know what to say about Will Levis (good or bad) that hasn't been said already. I think QB, OL, and WR are positions that should seriously be considered either free agency or the draft (or both). Your thoughts?
Jim: I agree. I'd also throw edge rusher and safety in there.
Beau Siddens from Covington, Indiana
Question: Hey Jim. I'm with Cally, even though the W column is slim, the team is playing hard. There are a few changes that need to be made but, there are signs of a good foundation here.
You kept great stats of Levis and Rudolph through camp. I thought Mason should have got the starting position based on your findings. When Mason is in, the Offense appears to be more mechanical. Like they are more tuned in fundamentally. It may be due to the plays that are designated for him. I wouldn't be disappointed if Levis rides the pine for the rest of the season. I think he is a great athlete and will someday be a force to be reckoned with. I say all that in a future tense.
I want to shout out to the team. They played their tails off until the clock struck 0:00!
Looking forward to seeing this team grow. TITAN UP!
Jim: I agree the team is playing hard. It has all season. You mentioned the training camp stats of the two QBs, so I'll roll them out again here:
Rudolph: 125-of-157 with 2 INTs in 7-on-7 and team drills combined.
Levis: 159-of-245 with 8 INTs in 7-on-7 and team drills combined.
I'm mainly dropping these in to show, and remind, folks how steady Rudolph has been since he got here.
Preston Webb from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Long time listener first time caller, but I wanted to ask about what we should do with the QB situation.
To me, I think the answer is either give Levis another year, or get a Darnold/Rodgers/Jones (in that order) and give them a year or two until we have a QB prospect we truly believe in, like an Archie/Nico/Allan. It feels like another wasted draft if we get another QB this year (would be 3 out of the last 4) instead of filling holes on the rest of the team. Thanks Jim
Jim: I can't get into discussing potential free agent QBs on other rosters. I'd get in trouble for tampering. But I'm not too fired up about the guys on your list, and you left out another I'd be intrigued by. A lot of time between now and the NFL Draft…
Have a great weekend everyone!
