Calvin Ridley, new-look Titans offense should give Will Levis chance to shine

Ben Arthur

AFC South Reporter

By means of the tip of the 2024 season, the Titans will have to know if Will Levis is their long-term quarterback. That are meant to be the objective, no less than. 

That’s the truth next a free-agency length (to this point) all the way through which Tennessee has addressed a few of its greatest weaknesses on what was once a hideous offense. 

The Titans made a admirable journey Wednesday to reinforce the wide-receiver room, agreeing to phrases with free-agent Calvin Ridley on a mammoth four-year offer significance $92 million that incorporates $50 million absolutely assured, a supply showed to FOX Sports activities. Two days prior, the Titans indubitably to phrases with ex-Bronco Lloyd Cushenberry on a historical four-year oath that features a reported $26 million absolutely assured, an $18 million signing bonus and $20 million in first-year money — all data for a middle. 

Tennessee isn’t completed construction out its new-look offense below current professor Brian Callahan. The Titans nonetheless desire a left take on, which turns into a should with the Incorrect. 7 select within the wake of the Ridley addition. They nonetheless want extra offensive-line intensity past that for place professor Invoice Callahan to paintings with. They most certainly nonetheless wish to draft a receiver this 12 months, one they may be able to form. However they’ve created a unit {that a} succesful quarterback will have to be capable to run with. 

On paper, the Titans have loaded up on the offensive talent positions. 

Acclimating to a current offense apart, Ridley is eager for a breakout 2024. Drops have been a topic for him latter season — he had seven, consistent with Professional Soccer Center of attention — however he additionally had greater than 1,000 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns for the Jaguars, next lacking greater than a season and a part of soccer (he neglected the 2022 season because of a abeyance and performed simply 5 video games in 2021).

Now with a complete 12 months below Ridley’s belt, Titans lovers will have to be excited for what’s to return this then season. He performed all 17 video games in 2023 and was once by no means at the trauma file. He’s a dynamic route-runner who can wrinkle up around the formation. He and DeAndre Hopkins method what may well be one of the vital easiest receiving tandems within the league. 

Within the backfield, Tennessee misplaced the long-lasting Derrick Henry, nevertheless it was revealed latter season that 2023 third-round select Tyjae Spears was once eager to be his successor. Paired with Tony Pollard, who indubitably to phrases on a three-year offer significance $21.75 million, the Titans have a greater than succesful tailback duo that matches into Callahan’s seeing of a pass-first offense. The dynamic Spears had 1,108 all-purpose yards in a fantastic rookie season, together with 453 dashing and 385 receiving. In his first 12 months as a starter, Pollard in 2023 posted his second-straight 1,000-yard dashing season with the Cowboys, together with 819 yards next touch in 2023, third-most within the league, consistent with Later Gen Stats. 

To not point out, Tennessee has a promising tight finish on its roster in Chig Okonkwo, who was once the crew’s second-leading receiver latter season with 54 receptions for 528 yards. 

Total, it’s a promising solid of guns for Levis, who had flashes of being the crew’s long-term quarterback as a rookie. The 2023 second-round select finished 58.4% of his passes for 1,804 yards and 8 touchdowns in opposition to 4 interceptions in 9 video games. 

A suffering offensive wrinkle and a talent-lacking broad receiver room made it tough to get a correct analysis on Levis latter season. The Titans allowed a 41.4% drive charge, second-worst within the league, consistent with Later Gen Stats. The crew’s broad receivers additionally totaled simply 2,262 receiving yards, twenty fourth within the league. 

“In order for Will to be successful, he has to have playmakers around him,” normal supervisor Ran Carthon mentioned on the NFL Mix. “He can’t throw the ball to himself. He can’t hand the ball to himself, if you’re going to. 

“So we’ve were given to proceed so as to add playmakers round him.” 

The Titans have carried out that. Extra may just come, too. 

Now Levis has to run with it.

Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

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