The Tennessee Titans finally broke into the win column on Monday night, but their 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins came at a cost. Quarterback Will Levis exited the game early with a shoulder injury, leaving fans to wonder about the young signal-caller’s status and the team’s plans moving forward.

Head coach Brian Callahan didn’t beat around the bush in his postgame comments. “Will [Levis] hurt his shoulder on that scramble on third down,” Callahan explained. “He tried to come back, but it was bothering him pretty significantly in his shoulder. So I made a decision to hold him out.”

But before Titans fans could start panicking, Callahan dropped a reassuring bombshell: “He’s our quarterback. His injury isn’t a long-term issue.” This vote of confidence comes despite Levis’s early-season struggles, including his sixth interception of the year thrown in the first quarter against Miami.

Callahan’s decision to sit Levis wasn’t just about the injury. The coach cited the game’s run-heavy approach and the upcoming bye week as factors in his choice to play it safe. “Ultimately I knew what kind of game it was going to be,” Callahan said. “With the bye week next week, I didn’t want to expose him to any further risk.”

This cautious approach marks a stark contrast to Callahan’s frustration with Levis just two weeks ago. After a costly turnover against the Jets, cameras caught the coach asking, “What the f— are you doing?” Callahan didn’t shy away from his criticism post-game, stating, “It was dumb. It was the same exact thing he did last week, and it cost us points in the red zone… He’s a grown-up, and he knows better.”

Is Mason Rudolph the answer to the Titans’ QB conundrum?

With Levis sidelined, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph stepped in and kept the ship steady. Rudolph finished the night 9-for-17 with 85 passing yards, helping guide the Titans to their first win of the season.

Rudolph’s experience as a starter – he went 8-4-1 in 13 starts with the Steelers – showed in his composed performance. While his stats weren’t flashy, he managed the game effectively and, crucially, avoided turnovers.

Callahan’s decision to stick with Rudolph even after Levis was seen on the sideline with his helmet on raised eyebrows. When asked about the quarterback situation at halftime, Callahan simply stated that if Levis could play, he would, but otherwise, it would be Mason.

This quarterback quandary puts the Titans in an interesting position heading into their bye week. Levis’s five giveaways through the first two weeks were the most in the NFL, matching Warren Moon’s dubious mark from 1992. Yet Callahan insists, “If Will’s healthy, he’s our quarterback. It was not a decision based on anything other than his health and protecting him.”

As the Titans look to build on their first win, the quarterback situation remains fluid. Will Levis return as the clear-cut starter, or has Rudolph’s steady hand earned him a longer look?