-
Turron Davenport, ESPN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The quarterback was different, but the results were still the same for the Tennessee Titans after coach Brian Callahan made the switch to Mason Rudolph from Will Levis last week. The Titans lost, 38-30, to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and now sit at 3-12 with two games left in the season.
Leading up to the Colts game, Callahan explained how he felt switching to Rudolph gave Tennessee the best chance to win. But the turnovers that have plagued the Titans all season were still there, even with a seventh-year veteran.
One of Rudolph’s three interceptions came as the Titans were attempting a drive to pull within one score before halftime. Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II came off Calvin Ridley‘s route and stepped in front of Rudolph’s pass that was intended for Tyler Boyd.
The defense was forced back onto the field and gave up a touchdown two plays later, and instead, the Titans went into the locker room trailing 24-7.
“Can’t have the turnover in a critical spot,” Callahan said. “That’s sort of been our Achilles heel most of the season in big spots that swing momentum in games for us.”
It’s bizarre how similar Rudolph’s and Levis’ stats are this season. Both have the same touchdown-to-interception ratio and have nearly identical completion percentages along with yards per completion.
“The idea is to put ourselves in the best chance to win and who gives us the best chance to do that,” Callahan said. “The stats are sometimes similar but don’t always paint the full picture either direction to one guy or the other at this point.”
Callahan hesitated to say Rudolph will be the starter when asked after the Colts game and during his Monday press conference. But Rudolph will likely remain the starter when Tennessee faces the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at EverBank Stadium.
Perhaps the only advantage the Titans have with Rudolph on the field is how he operates the offense. The Titans have scored 30 or more points three times this season. Rudolph came on in relief after Levis suffered a right shoulder injury 10 snaps into a 31-12 win over the Dolphins, and his two passing touchdowns Sunday contributed to Tennessee’s 30 points against the Colts.
Callahan mentioned Rudolph’s efficiency and how he got the ball out of his hand when asked to assess the veteran’s performance against Indianapolis. That played a key role in why Rudolph was sacked only once last week, and it has been the major difference between the two quarterbacks.
Rudolph has been sacked seven times in six games while Levis took 40 sacks in 11.
Controlling owner Amy Adams-Strunk shook things up in the offseason when she spearheaded the firing of coach Mike Vrabel, citing the need for change. But her once optimistic view of Tennessee’s future can’t be as bright now.
The Titans’ plan entering the season was to fortify the roster around Levis and get a full evaluation of his ability to be a franchise quarterback. Adding Callahan, whose history of successful results working with quarterbacks, was supposed to give Levis a better chance to flourish.
Levis showed signs of promise as a rookie. Apparently, that was enough for the Titans, but they didn’t have a truly viable contingency plan if Levis’ potential wasn’t enough.
Now Tennessee finds itself at a crossroad.
Levis said he still believes he can be a “franchise quarterback for the Titans or somewhere else.” The 2023 second-round pick will still have two years remaining on his rookie deal, so it’s likely he’ll return in 2025.
“You’ve got to find a way to rebound,” Callahan said. “That’s the expectation.”
But will Levis even get that opportunity this season?
With only three wins under his belt, Callahan’s responsibility leans more toward using the end of the season to find momentum for the future. Callahan said bouncing back is part of the job at quarterback, but he’s more concerned with the team finishing the season on a high note.
“I wish we had a whole lot more to show for what we’ve done this year,” Callahan said. “It’s a bottom-line business, and we’ve got to show progress. You got to make the opportunities count. And we’ve got to do that for the last two weeks.”
Source: www.espn.com