Malik Willis was once believed to be the heir apparent to Ryan Tannehill. However, the former third-round pick has struggled through his first two seasons.
The Tennessee Titans may have found their franchise quarterback in 2023 second-round pick Will Levis, who showed glimpses of his potential during his rookie campaign. Tennessee also signed proven backup Mason Rudolph this offseason, pushing Willis to the bottom of the depth chart.
Now, the Liberty product could find himself on the outside looking in.
The Titans are likely to only keep two quarterbacks on the active roster, which means that Willis could make the practice squad or even be traded before the start of the season.
As such, Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon recently pegged Willis as “QBs That NFL Teams Must Pursue in Trades Right Now.”
Here was Kenyon’s analysis:
As a down-roster alternative to Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis made a ton of sense with the Tennessee Titans. However, the tenor of that belief changed when the Titans drafted Will Levis in 2023.
Willis, as a result, has steadily become an afterthought—and potential cut candidate in Tennessee.
In his case, there’s simply not a likely path to playing time. While the Titans understandably are committed to seeing what Levis can become, they signed Mason Rudolph in free agency. That’s not exactly an encouraging sign for Willis securing a backup role, either.
Willis could provide a different kind of archetype for a minimally mobile QB room, such as the Cincinnati Bengals.
Willis barely saw the field last year after a less-than-impressive showing in his rookie season as the Titans gave Levis every opportunity to showcase himself.
Sure, Willis has shown tremendous growth in Titans training camp, but will it be enough to surpass Rudolph, who has also looked solid? Perhaps not.
Therefore, it might be best for both sides to part ways should Willis lose out to Rudolph in the preseason. The Titans would likely recoup a late-round draft pick for Willis, who could have a fresh start elsewhere.
