NFL Draft Daily Dish: A new quarterback is the top priority for the Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans face a pivotal offseason decision as they prepare to address their quarterback situation.

Titans need to find a new leader of their franchise
Titans need to find a new leader of their franchise | Andy Lyons/GettyImages

One of the most intriguing storylines this offseason will be how teams address the quarterback position. In today’s NFL Draft Daily Dish, we focus on two franchises heading in different directions: the Tennessee Titans, who are likely to make a change at the most critical position in football, and the Carolina Panthers, who appear to be solidifying their plans around an emerging young quarterback.

Titans face crucial offseason decision at quarterback

One of the top priorities for the Tennessee Titans this offseason will be finding a new starting quarterback. Will Levis, who has started the majority of the season, has consistently demonstrated that he is not the long-term solution. This year, he has thrown 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, resulting in a disappointing 21.1 QBR. His struggles culminated in a dreadful performance against Cincinnati, where he threw three interceptions before being benched in favor of Mason Rudolph.

Rudolph, however, is clearly not the answer either. His stints as a starter in Pittsburgh and Tennessee have been unremarkable, and he has struggled whenever pressed into action. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the Titans will likely need to look elsewhere for their future quarterback.

The most logical path for Tennessee is to address the position with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Two top quarterback prospects—Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward—are expected to be high on the Titans' radar. Sanders is a polished passer known for his accuracy, which would fit well in the system head coach Brian Callahan brought from Cincinnati. Ward, on the other hand, is the more athletic option and boasts one of the strongest arms in this draft class.

However, the Titans face a significant challenge in securing either of these players. Currently holding the sixth pick in the draft, Tennessee may find both quarterbacks off the board within the first two selections. Adding to this difficulty, the Titans have a realistic chance of improving their draft position by winning one of their remaining games, with two of their last three opponents having sub-.500 records, including the 3-11 Jacksonville Jaguars, whom they narrowly lost to just weeks ago.

If Sanders and Ward are unavailable, the Titans may turn to free agency, where they are expected to have approximately $65 million in cap space. Two intriguing options include Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who is having the best season of his career, and Pittsburgh’s Justin Fields, who, despite losing his job to Russell Wilson, has shown flashes of promise this season and in prior years. Both would represent a significant upgrade over Levis.

Should Tennessee pursue a veteran in free agency, they would still be wise to draft a developmental quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft. Georgia’s Carson Beck, once viewed as a potential top pick before a disappointing season, could be an option in the second round. Alternatively, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart might be a Day 3 target with intriguing upside.

No matter how the Titans approach this critical decision, upgrading the quarterback position should significantly improve their chances of competing in the AFC South next season. A revamped offense under a more capable signal-caller could help Tennessee take a step closer to contention.

Not in need of a quarterback

One team that likely won’t be addressing the quarterback position early in the 2025 NFL Draft is the Carolina Panthers. This marks a significant turnaround, considering they benched Bryce Young after just the second week of the season. However, aside from his struggles against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Young has shown notable improvement since reclaiming the starting role from Andy Dalton in Week 8. Leading into the Dallas game, Young had thrown for five touchdowns and only two turnovers, performing well against top-tier NFL competition, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Of course, his performance against Dallas raised some concerns. Young threw four interceptions and appeared unsettled throughout the game. Despite this setback, the Panthers remain optimistic about Young’s recent progress. This optimism suggests they’re unlikely to target a quarterback in the first or second round of the draft. Young will also have an opportunity to bounce back and demonstrate that Sunday’s game was just an outlier when he faces the Arizona Cardinals this weekend. Arizona’s defense has struggled all season, allowing a 70% completion rate and ranking among the league's worst against the pass.

Bryce Young
Bryce Young is still the Carolina Panthers future quarterback | Jared C. Tilton/GettyImages

If the Panthers aren’t planning to draft a quarterback early, what direction might they take with their first-round pick? Adding a dynamic playmaker like Colorado’s Travis Hunter could be a priority, as he would provide Young with a true No. 1 wide receiver. Alternatively, addressing their struggling defense is another option. Michigan’s Mason Graham, a standout defender, could be an ideal fit to bolster a unit that has underperformed throughout the season.