Titans football tomorrow!!! Those are three beautiful words!! Music to my ears!!

The months between football seasons truly does take forever but tomorrow the miserable wait comes to an end. Even though the game doesn't count, pre-season games are still so valuable. It's a chance to see where rookies are at, veterans on the fringe are at, and it's just a chance to really solidify the team's depth chart. Position battles everywhere. If a player gets cut, that player still wants to have good tape out in the hopes another team signs them. Some players simply will never see the field in a regular season game. Just the simple chance of suiting up in an NFL uniform and playing an organized, competitive NFL game means a lot in general.

Maybe I'm just the victim of the moment and maybe I'm biased but this pre-season for the Titans seems super intriguing. Can't think of a more intriguing off-season since maybe Mariota's rookie season.

BIG Battle for QB2 - Malik Willis vs Will Levis

The Titans have got a super interesting battle for not only the backup QB position, but it's also likely a battle to have a shot at being the team's franchise quarterback one day. Although Tannehill lingering around does make things a little interesting.

Malik Willis and Will Levis were drafted by the Titans in the past two seasons. Willis in 2022 as a third rounder and Levis in 2023 as a second rounder, very close to a first rounder.

Willis on left, Levis on right.

Src

Malik was known to be a bit of a raw prospect when drafted, and when he was thrust into action last season when Tannehill went down with an injury, he didn't play all too well. He had moments but overall the offense could not move the ball consistently.

Will Levis was projected as high as a top three NFL pick this past April, but slipped to barely out of the first round, being selected with the first pick in the second round. The Titans actually traded up to get him.

Malik Willis has reportedly vastly improved in training camp, and Will Levis has looked pretty solid, haven't heard or seen any terrible reports whatsoever other than like your typical mistakes.

The competition has been just super intriguing as a Titans fan. The QBs have a lot of similarities, with a few slight differences. Both have raw aspects to them. Will is the better passer, Malik is the overall better runner. Will is an underrated runner and Malik, like I said has been improving so I assume he's been improving as a passer. I feel as though the competition is pretty intense between those two. They are both early in their careers, but this season means a lot for both of their careers. There's a slight chance the team keeps three quarterbacks, but that's entirely unknown at this point.

Both QBs are 24 years old, and there's only a single month separating Malik and Will in age! I cannot wait to watch these two play!! They will be really playing for their futures.

Src

Inside Linebacker Battle - Jack Gibbens vs Monty Rice

The Titans inside linebacking core has been sort of a revolving door in the past handful of years. Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, David Long, and Zach Cunningham are notable decent-good contributors that are a thing of the past for the Titans on the inside.

The Titans signed a pretty established inside linebacker in Azeez Al-Shaair, and he's looked good in camp and has been a leader.

The second linebacker has been a bit of a different story. Right now it appears the Titans are looking at either Monty Rice or Jack Gibbens.

Rice is a former third round draft pick from 2021 and Gibbens is a player the Titans signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Monty has had an up and down career in two seasons, while Gibbens slowly came on strong last season, especially towards the end of the season.

Src

Titans Rookie RB Tyjae Spears, Titans O-Line, Kicker Battle

I'm looking forward to watching Titans third round draft pick Tyjae Spears compete in a pro environment. He's a running back out of Tulane and has a bit of an injury history, but I think he is in interesting talent with a patient slick style of running and I'm curious how that might translate at the next level.

Src

I have questions about the Titans offensive line in general and I'm curious how 2023 first round tackle/guard Peter Skoronski performs.

Src

The Titans have had BRUTAL kickers the past couple of seasons. Randy Bullock was mediocre but I guess I didn't hate him. Nevertheless it'd be really nice if the Titans could ACTUALLY find a GOOD kicker. Not a decent one, a GOOD one. Right now it seems to be a competition between Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff. Really young guys so maybe they could be a LONG term answer.

This was Caleb from a year ago. He was basically the team's backup as a rookie in 2022.

Src