Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis made his third-career start on Saturday afternoon against a Houston Texans team that had lost nine straight coming into the game.
Unfortunately, the Liberty product wasn’t able to will his team to a much-needed victory on a day in which he looked like a raw signal-caller for the majority of the contest.
This isn’t some shocking development, either. It was always wishful thinking to assume that Willis was going to step on the football field and be an unquestioned franchise quarterback by the end of his rookie season.
Willis’ skill set and potential are obviously there. With that said, it’s also very clear that he still needs a lot more time to develop, and he needs significantly more help around him.
Willis is not at the point where he can elevate an entire offense around him, nor should he be expected to, but the reality is that’s the situation he currently finds himself in, as unfair as it may be to him.
The raw signal-caller is playing behind a banged-up, makeshift offensive line that was already subpar to begin with, while also throwing to one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the entire league.
That’s a rough situation for any quarterback, let alone a young one that was universally considered a major project coming into the draft.
Willis started the game doing an overall decent job. On the second drive of the day, he sold his fake well enough to get a few defenders to hesitate just enough to allow Henry to break free for a long touchdown run.
The King is cooking early! 👨🏾🍳
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/uMaJot4OYf
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2022
On the very next drive, Tennessee’s 2022 third-round pick connected with Treylon Burks for a 22-yard gain, but a holding penalty wiped that positive play away and pushed the team back.
Shortly after, Willis experienced the ineptitude of Dennis Daley firsthand in the form of a drive-ending sack.
Dennis Daley lol #Titans pic.twitter.com/RCzy1nkf2t
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) December 24, 2022
In total, Willis ended up finishing the first half by completing six-of-eight passes for 38 yards, along with two carries for 12 yards.
The second half got off to a fantastic start for him, as Willis accounted for two big-time runs on the first offensive drive of the half.
On a crucial third down, Tennessee’s quarterback evaded a five-man rush, picking up 12 yards in the process and keeping the drive alive.
Willis’ best play of the day occurred shortly after on an incredible touchdown run by the rookie in which he broke several tackles in order to get inside the end-zone.
HE WILL NOT BE DENIED! @malikwillis
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/xi6MiaoiO9
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2022
On the very next drive, a combination of inconsistent help and sloppy mechanics led to a disastrous turnover on downs.
After a few positive plays got the team in plus territory, the Liberty legend threw a nice ball on third down to Austin Hooper that was ultimately dropped.
This forced the Titans to make the difficult choice to go for the first down since they were in what’s called “no man’s land,” around the opposing 40-yard line.
The decision ended up backfiring, as Willis missed his target after sloppy footwork and inconsistent mechanics forced an inaccurate pass that probably would have been short even if it had been completed.
In the end, the Titans had two separate chances to steal a last-second win, but instead, it led to two backbreaking interceptions that put the dagger in the Titans’ hopes of ending this horrid losing streak.
Willis ended his third career start by completing 14-of-23 passes for 99 yards and two interceptions, while also adding 43 yards and one touchdown on the ground as well.
It wasn’t the ending or performance anyone was hoping for, but if there’s any positive to take away from this, it’s that this will be an invaluable learning experience for the rookie’s development going forward.
