“There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me.” That’s what Will Levis proclaimed just a month ago. But while he talked the talk, the Tennessee Titans were far from buying it. After those injuries, costly turnovers and eventually losing his starting job to a top draft pick, Levis is now shown the door. The Titans have officially waived him ahead of the roster deadline.

“Titans waiving QB Will Levis. (via @rapsheet ),” NFL posted on X.

He then went unclaimed on waivers, making him a free agent free to choose his next destination. But if you ask, is it surprising or out of a blue move? Not really, given, his time in Tennessee was heading this way for a while now. Though he looks like a prototypical NFL passer at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, the production doesn’t match that promise.

He produced a 5-16 record as a starter with 3,899 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. The low points were simply glaring. In 2024, Levis threw four pick-sixes, the most by a Tennessee quarterback since the franchise relocated from Houston in 1997. He surrendered five of eight fumbles, threw nearly as many interceptions (12) as touchdowns (13). Thats not all.

He then missed significant time with a sprained AC joint before the team finished a dismal 3-14 .All the hopes for a 2025 bounce-back vanished when Levis posted a photo to social media revealing a U-shaped dip in his shoulder, announcing season-ending surgery just a day before reporting to camp.

There was also plenty of instability around Levis during his time in Tennessee. He was drafted under Mike Vrabel and GM Ran Carthon, then he played under Brian Callahan before the Titans moved on to interim HC Mike McCoy and then Robert Saleh. These constant changes, doesn’t make life easier for a player trying to regain his footing. But then came the biggest change of them all: Cam Ward. 

With new head coach Robert Saleh taking the helm, the target for Titans fans was clear: establish Cam Ward, their No. 1 overall pick, as the undisputed franchise quarterback. Last season, in Levis’ absence, Ward took over the offense, but the transition was far from smooth.

Through his first nine weeks, Ward stumbled out of the gate, posting 1,760 passing yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions. Then came the turning point. Following a Week 6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Brian Callahan was relieved of his duties, and interim HC Mike McCoy took over. Under him, Ward unlocked an elite gear.

From Weeks 10 through 18, he threw for 1,406 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just a single interception, leading the entire NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio during that stretch.

Despite losing two starting receivers to rookie replacements, Ward completed his debut campaign with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Now bolstered by the offseason additions of receivers Wan’Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate, the young signal-caller sits on a significantly stronger foundation.

And once Tennessee decided Ward was the future, Levis’ path became much harder to see. Entering the 2026 offseason, Levis was left fighting veteran Mitchell Trubisky, who was signed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal for a backup role. Given one extensive audition in the August 29 preseason finale against Chicago, Levis played the entire first half, completing 14-of-22 passes for 143 yards (an 82.2 passer rating).

He showcased his signature arm strength, highlighted by a 28-yard fourth-down conversion to Kylen Granson, and ran an efficient two-minute drill, but failed to reach the end zone, settling for field goals. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough.

The Titans’ quarterback room was already settled, leaving Levis on the outside looking in. Trubisky’s familiarity with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s system from their Buffalo days made him the obvious choice for reps behind Ward throughout camp.

With his rookie contract set to expire after this season anyway, the writing was on the wall. Levis seemed at peace with it when he spoke to reporters after Saturday’s final preseason game.

“Very grateful,” he said. “Very, very grateful. I mean, Miss Amy brought me in here and welcomed me with open arms, as did everyone else here in Nashville with the team, and I was able to grow a lot over the couple of seasons we had while I was playing here. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Now the question turns to what’s next, and which team might take a bet on him in free agency.

Where does Will Levis fit best next?

This offseason, Will Levis wasn’t shy about his confidence. Speaking to reporters at Titans camp in late July, he made it clear that he sees himself as a legitimate NFL starter, tape and all.

The Titans clearly saw things differently, cutting him loose anyway. Now the question becomes where he lands next, and a few teams make sense, even if none of them come with a starting job attached.

The Green Bay Packers look like a real possibility. The Packers just shipped Kyle McCord to Miami, leaving only Jordan Love and Tyrod Taylor on the depth chart. Head coach Matt LaFleur has a track record of getting the most out of quarterbacks, having already helped revive fellow Titans Malik Willis, so Levis could be an intriguing reclamation project.

Tampa Bay shouldn’t be ruled out either. After releasing Jake Browning, the Bucs are left with Baker Mayfield atop the depth chart and undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels as the backup. Levis would bring valuable experience to that room, and could even be next in line if Mayfield’s tenure ends sooner than expected.

Washington is another team worth watching. Marcus Mariota is nursing a knee injury this preseason, and after Jayden Daniels missed significant time last season, the Commanders could use a reliable arm in reserve. Levis would fit nicely as insurance.

Jacksonville and the Jets round out the list of teams that could use him purely for depth.