Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis has been one of the few bright spots for the team this season.
He’s definitely had his fair share of rookie growing pains, but the flashes of a potential franchise quarterback are obvious to anybody who actually takes the time to watch him play.
Levis owns a passer rating of 86.9 after he’s recorded 1,266 passing yards, seven touchdowns and just two interceptions on the year. What makes these numbers even more impressive is the fact that he’s been surrounded by subpar talent for the most part.
The Kentucky product is playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL while throwing to a receiving corps. that doesn’t have any pass-catcher who have eclipsed 315 yards on the year, outside of DeAndre Hopkins.
However, there is one glaring way to help make Levis’ job easier, given his surroundings. Unfortunately, Tennessee has ignorantly chosen to go a more old-fashioned route of asking its subpar receiving corps. to win instead of scheming the group open.
Per Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, Levis leads the league in completion percentage (75 percent) when using motion but ranks last without it (52 percent).
Interesting note from CBSSports Research:
Will Levis is a case study on how motion can help a young QB.
He leads the NFL in completion % (75%) with motion and ranks last without it (52%). Titans are using motion 36% of the time in Levis starts, well below the league average 47%
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) December 8, 2023
To make matters worse, the Titans are only using motion 36 percent of the time in Levis’ six starts, which is well below the league average of 47 percent.
On Friday, head Coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the lack of motion, as well as the dip in completion percentage that comes with it. Here was his answer in the video posted below by ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
Mike Vrabel said he's recognized the spike in Will Levis' completion % when they use motion and knows the #Titans use motions a lot less than most teams. Here's his explanation: pic.twitter.com/Ga7vQgHacG
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 8, 2023
Vrabel acknowledged that there has been a dip, but he also pointed out how there’s been a combination of drops, inaccurate passes and throwaways that could be deceptive when looking at those averages without context.
While there is certainly some truth to that, it’s impossible to argue against the Titans at least trying to use more motion, especially when they currently have a receiving corps. that struggles to separate.
Using motion will allow the receivers to do a better job at gaining leverage, which will then make it easier for Levis to hit an open target rather than constantly trying to fit the ball into a tight window.
Earlier this week I wrote about Will Levis's 2nd Half woes. Here's a way #Titans can help him: USE MOTION
19 dropbacks using motion in the second half w/ Levis under center (18.6% of 2nd Half DBs)
13/19, 149 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 0 sacks, 6 other pressures, +0.078 EPA
Do it more. https://t.co/rTaErwVedM
— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) December 9, 2023
This is just further proof that this team may need to part ways with offensive coordinator Tim Kelly in order to bring in a coach who presents a more modern philosophy offensively, and in particular when it comes to motion.
Only time will tell whether or not that happens, but if the Titans want to help their young quarterback out and unlock his full potential, they need to make some serious changes to their offense, one way or another.
