Being one of the first teams in the NFL to have a bye week wasn’t something the Tennessee Titans were happy about when the schedule came out in May.
But after starting the season with three losses, the Titans (1-3) are now looking forward to this break, which comes in Week 5. They hope it will help them adjust with many new starters and a new coach.
“It’ll be a good time to kind of catch our breath and regroup a little bit and get ready for the long haul of the next what, 13 games,” left guard Peter Skoronski said. “So obviously our early bye’s not great. You don’t love it, but take advantage of it that much you can.”
Winning their last game certainly helps. Coach Brian Callahan made it clear that they are sticking with Will Levis as their quarterback. This decision aims to help the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft develop.
However, Levis has struggled, leading Tennessee to have the worst turnover margin in the NFL at minus-9. He has thrown six interceptions, which is two more than he did in nine starts last year.
“He needs to play better for us,” Callahan said about Levis, who has also lost three fumbles. “And at the end of the day, I believe that he will. That’s where I’m at with that whole thing.
There’s no controversy. There’s no second-guessing. That’s what’s happening. So that’s probably as clear as I can state it.”
Levis was injured during Tennessee’s 31-12 victory in Miami on Monday night when he hurt his right shoulder while trying to gain a first down. He attempted to throw on the sideline but was in pain.
Mason Rudolph finished the game and showed why the Titans brought him in as a backup by helping the team achieve their first 30-point game since January 2, 2022.
Callahan had warned that it would take at least a month for the team to adjust after significant changes during the offseason. Tennessee fired coach Mike Vrabel after the Titans lost 18 of 24 games.
After hiring Callahan, general manager Ran Carthon invested heavily in revamping the roster for the new coach, who was previously the offensive coordinator for Cincinnati.
The Titans took the field on Monday night with 12 new starters — five on offense and seven on defense. This group included a mix of draft picks, high-priced free agents, and a major trade acquisition in cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.
Quarterback Will Levis has been sacked 15 times behind an offensive line that has been rebuilt, featuring rookie left tackle JC Latham, who was the seventh overall pick from Alabama, Peter Skoronski, who was the 11th pick in 2023, and free agent signing Lloyd Cushenberry at center.
The defense came together quickly under new coordinator Dennard Wilson, and the Titans currently lead the NFL by allowing only 243.8 yards per game and just 124 yards passing per game. Outside linebacker Harold Landry has four sacks, which is tied for the fifth most in the league. They also scored a safety against the Dolphins.
The Titans had the worst record in the league with six interceptions in 2023 and are still looking for their first one this season. Linebacker Arden Key made the team’s first takeaway against Miami.
“We’re very confident in who we are,” safety Quandre Diggs said about his new teammates. “We’re confident in what we do. And know no matter what, we’re going to go to work. We’ll put our hard hat on, and we’re going to be ready to go.”
The offense is where Tennessee has struggled. Levis’ turnovers have hurt the team, causing them to lose a 17-point lead in their first game against Chicago and an early lead in their home opener against the Jets. Levis has had at least one turnover in every game, and he was sacked a career-high eight times in a loss to Green Bay.
Coach Brian Callahan has his father, Bill, helping to develop the offensive line as quickly as possible. The Titans also need more from wide receiver Calvin Ridley, one of their major free agent signings.
He has the highest receiving yards on the team with 141, catching nine of the 19 passes thrown to him. Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has bounced back from an injured left knee that slowed him down in the first two weeks and now has 10 catches for 121 yards.
The Titans haven’t faced a divisional opponent yet, but they will host Indianapolis on October 13. Coach Brian Callahan mentioned that winning can boost confidence, and he hopes Will Levis is prepared for the Colts so the Titans can begin to improve from their current situation.
“If you want any chance to make the playoffs, any chance to be a competitive team, you got to win your divisional games, as many of them as you can,” Callahan said. “And this is a really important one after the bye.”
