In a stunning turn of events, Will Levis has been benched in favor of Mason Rudolph for the Tennessee Titans’ upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills. Multiple reports have confirmed that Levis, dealing with a right shoulder injury, will be inactive for the game.
The decision to start Rudolph over Levis has been met with speculation and analysis. Some believe that Levis may simply not be ready to play, despite having competed last Sunday with the lingering shoulder injury sustained 19 days ago during a Monday night match-up against the Dolphins.
Throughout the week, Levis’ status was up in the air. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, fully participated on Thursday, and was limited again on Friday. The sudden change in starting quarterback raises questions about the severity of Levis’ injury and the rationale behind the decision to bench him.
Levis’ struggles on the field this season have been undeniable. Leading the league with 10 turnovers in just four full games, he has continuously failed to protect the football, with a turnover in every game this season and a streak dating back to last year. In fact, Levis has committed turnovers in 12 of his 14 NFL starts, highlighting a glaring issue in his performance.
Last week, Levis appeared to be playing under pressure, perhaps aware of his tenuous hold on the starting role. The combination of his turnover-prone play and the impressive performance of Mason Rudolph in relief last season at Buffalo against the Bills has resulted in Levis being sidelined in favor of Rudolph.
Rudolph’s previous success against the Bills, coupled with the Titans’ lone win of the season which came when Rudolph replaced Levis, indicates that the decision to start Rudolph could be more than just a temporary change at quarterback. Despite being labeled as a “soft benching,” the move to Rudolph signifies a strategic shift in the Titans’ offense as they look to get back on track and secure a much-needed victory on Sunday.
