The Titans now stand at a crossroads in a season already fraught with uncertainty. The ones that could define the trajectory of their franchise. After a chaotic loss against the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Brian Callahan is steering the team into a high-stakes decision-making process. The spotlight, however, is glaring not on the outcome but on the questions. Ones that refuse to take a back seat!

The buzz surrounding the future of Will Levis has reached new heights after Ian Rapoport’s tweet added fuel to the quarterback controversy. “More QB decisions: The #Titans pulled Will Levis on Sunday, and coach Brian Callahan said he’s going to use the next few days to decide who his starting QB will be,” Rapoport wrote.

Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals was anything but kind to Levis. A 27-37 loss encapsulated a nightmare scenario for the quarterback, who threw three interceptions, including a soul-crushing pick-six that Bengals safety Geno Stone converted into a touchdown! “Today wasn’t [Levis’] day,” Callahan admitted post the game. “He had a couple of bad picks, put us in some tough spots.” His tone, however, hinted at deeper uncertainties. “We just needed some momentum… not everything’s on the quarterback, but he’s the one that’s going to take the most heat when those decisions happen.”

For Titans fans, Callahan’s postgame demeanor signaled a potential shift. Historically, he had been steadfast in backing Levis as the team’s QB1, even during turbulent moments earlier this season. Yet, after Sunday’s debacle, Callahan’s words landed differently. “Sometimes these things happen where you have a rough day, and you got to get sat down. I’m not going to make any definitive statements about it,” he said.

Levis’ performance painted a bleak picture with a stat line of 89 passing yards, a 49.0 passer rating, and three sacks. All before being benched in the third quarter! His mistakes were magnified by the brilliance of Bengals defenders like Cam Taylor-Britt and Mike Hilton, who relentlessly capitalized on the QB’s errant throws. Adding salt to the wound, Levis’ final play—an interception returned 40 yards for a touchdown—hammered home the game’s defining moment.

Even with Mason Rudolph taking over in relief and showing marginal improvement, Callahan’s immediate reaction underscored the gravity of Levis’ struggles. Rudolph, too, wasn’t flawless—throwing an interception himself. But his two touchdown drives at least brought the Titans back into the conversation late in the game. This shift has led to speculation that Callahan might lean toward the veteran in a bid to steady the ship during a season already lost to playoff contention.

Levis’ future: Crossroads or cul-de-sac?

The broader implications of Callahan’s handling of Levis extend far beyond one bad game. Earlier this year, the coach publicly declared unwavering faith in Levis’ potential. “One hundred percent when Will’s healthy, he’s our quarterback,” said the head coach. Fast forward to December, and that certainty has evaporated. The decision to bench Levis against the Bengals felt less like a timeout and more like a trial separation.

Levis’ inconsistencies aren’t new. But his regression over recent weeks? Yeah, that has raised questions about whether he can shoulder the weight of being a franchise quarterback. The Titans, now sitting at 3-11, will face three divisional matchups to close the season. Whether these games become a proving ground for Levis or an audition for Rudolph could shape the team’s long-term strategy.

Adding another layer of complexity is the upcoming NFL Draft. With Tennessee holding the sixth overall pick, the allure of selecting a quarterback looms large. If Callahan and GM Ran Carthon lose faith in Levis, they might explore adding a fresh face to the roster. However, that move would carry its own risk, especially considering the Titans’ lack of stability at QB over the past few years!

For now, Callahan’s focus remains on the here and now. “Look, I think we’ll get through today,” he said. “We just have to make sure we can correct what we saw on tape and where we had a tough day for him.” Those comments are hardly a rallying cry for Levis supporters. But they do leave the door open for the young quarterback to respond in practice!