When Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said earlier in the week that the team would play both Will Levis and Malik Willis if Ryan Tannehill isn’t able to go, it was figured that would involve the team starting one of the quarterbacks and having a package of plays for the other instead of alternating them like they did in the preseason.
That notion seemed to be a bit more solidified when it was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the team was expected to start Levis and have him serve as the primary quarterback against the Atlanta Falcons.
However, not only did Vrabel not commit to Levis as the starter for Week 8 when speaking to the media on Wednesday, he also said alternating Willis and Levis is indeed on the table.
“We’ll figure out the game plan as we work through the week,” he said, per Paul Kuharsky. “We may run the plays in with them. It could be by series, could be every two series. Could have certain things that we like.
“We’ll see where Ryan is, but again, I’m excited if Ryan can’t play that we’ll look at both of those quarterbacks. We’ll need both of them to help us win.”
Hopefully this is just gamesmanship by Vrabel in an attempt to force the Falcons to prepare for both quarterbacks and not the actual plan.
It’s unfathomable to think the Titans would really alternate two quarterbacks in a NFL game, an approach that would make it extremely difficult for either to get into any sort of rhythm when they’re constantly in and out.
Having a package of plays for one of the signal-callers is fine, but this team needs to commit to one or the other, and preferably that will be Levis.
I tend to believe that’s what the Titans will do, but I’d be lying if I said Vrabel’s comments weren’t at least concerning.