It was such a beautiful sight to watch some Titans football! It was a nice sunny day in Chicago and the Titans were wearing their white jerseys and it was just fun to watch.
QB Malik Willis got the start today and the Titans had a great first drive offensively, going down the field efficiently for a TD. The biggest star of that drive was rookie running back Tyjae Spears! He was an impressive, decisive runner displaying the patience and vision I hope I'd see from him! He's got really great smooth agility and superb maneuverability. He looks like he's ready to play. I love it!
Now to the big QB battle!
Malik Willis shows significant improvement, Will Levis was ok - Malik wins the day
Malik started out with a nice bootleg pass across the field to Chris Moore for a gain of 30 yards. He also completed several nice drag routes during the day and just looked like a significantly better passer as a whole, while still scrambling rather intelligently! It was not a perfect day though, he had two turnovers. An interception and a lost fumble. Notably, Malik ended the first half with a nice drive that ended in a field goal. There was I believe about 1:08 left in the second starting on the 25 yard line with three timeouts. Malik showed good composure and IQ and led the team down the field three the air and with his legs. He ended the day with a lot of passing yards with 189!
I'm intrigued and glad to see Malik bouncing back after a shaky rookie season in 2022!
Will Levis sort of managed the game, he had about two really good throws on the day, and looked fairly competent for his first game ever in NFL action. Still, overall Levis didn't wow me and he was inaccurate on several occasions. He did show his nice mobility, and with his size it's a pretty imposing sight!** A mixed, but decent performance. He did have one interception.**
I think Malik won and looked better, but I'm curious to see how Levis digests this first bit of action heading into the next two pre-season games. Malik also had more action today and more action with the better players on the roster, particularly on the first drive with Tyjae and the team's likely starting offensive line.
Malik was better, but I would not say he locked up the QB2 spot quite yet. There was a gap between Malik and Will, but I'm not quite sure if it's a gap Will can't close a bit.
I'm impressed by the battle!! Two young QB's competing hard. Not a bad problem to have! I wonder if Will will get a chance to start next week.
Some other notes about the game
I noticed third year outside linebacker Rashad Weaver making plays. He had 5.5 sacks in 2022, it's nice to see him continuing to improve!
The defense got truly embarrassed by getting burnt for TWO long screen plays for touchdowns on I believe consecutive drives when Bears' QB Justin Fields was in during the start of the game. That must get better, QUICK!
Rookie tight end Josh Whyle had a pretty terrible debut. He dropped a pass that was a smidge high, but very catchable, it was tipped and the air and picked in the endzone. Later he lost a fumble. Tough start.
The Titans lost the meaningless game, and the game was pretty dang sloppy at times for both sides. But I like the intensity and overall effort that the Titans showed. I am getting pumped for this season!!!
