Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis says he is not thinking about possibly losing his back-up QB spot to rookie Will Levis.
Willis is getting ready for his second season with the Titans, after being drafted in the third round with the 86th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The 24-year-old played eight games, starting three, in his rookie season last year, throwing three interceptions and is yet to complete his first passing touchdown.
Ryan Tannehill is the starting quarterback for the Titans, but the AFC South franchise added to their QB room in April when they drafted Will Levis. The 23-year-old was picked in the second round with the 33rd overall pick, and is now preparing for his rookie season in the NFL.
Drafting QBs in consecutive years is not something that most NFL teams would ideally like to do. That has led to speculation over Willis’ future in Tennessee, and whether or not he could lose his back-up spot to Tannehill to Levis.
However, Willis was asked if he thought he had done enough to solidify his place ahead of Levis as the Titans’ back-up QB. But Willis admitted it’s not something that’s on his mind.
"I don't really get into all that," said Willis, via A to Z Sports Nashville . "I just try to go to work every day."
Willis has been working with the Titans during their organised team activities (OTA) over the last few weeks. Recent days say the mandatory minicamps before the team enjoys a summer break
An injury to Tannehill in the latter stages of the 2022 season saw the Titans bring in Willis as the starter for the final three games. All three games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans ended in defeats, and was sacked four times in the loss to the Texans in the final game of the season.
Willis was asked to reflect on his first year in the NFL and whether or not he saw it as good or bad. Willis said: “A lot of people took (it as) bad, but what can you do in three games? It's sporadic during the season.
"In your rookie season, you are trying to learn. Everybody says 'you're a project this, project that,' but I mean, understanding, coming in everyday to get better at what I can do and (trying to) get more comfortable at what we are trying to do here."
Willis added: "It's a results-based business. It doesn't matter what I think, it doesn't matter what you think, it just is. I am just focusing on what I can control."
