NASHVILLE – This time last year, Will Levis was just settling in.
The Titans quarterback had just started his NFL journey after being drafted in the second round by the franchise.
Levis immediately began a crash course for a season that eventually saw him claim the starting job approaching the midway point.
Today, Levis is preparing for Year 2.
And he feels like he's in a good place.
"I feel great," Levis said. "Having these last five to six weeks to be with the guys and learn the offense, obviously that jump-start is huge.
"But physically, I feel like I am in a better spot than I've been in a really, really long time. That is one of the things I was looking to improve the most this offseason – getting healthy, getting my stuff back and being able to play the game like I know I can. So it's been cool to feel my body get to that point, and I am going to keep working to get past there."
In 2023, after being inactive the first six games of the season, Levis ended up starting nine games in 2023, and he completed 149-of-255 passes (58.4%) for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 84.2. He dealt with ankle and foot injuries late, and was inactive for two of the team's final three games.
Coming off a season when the Titans finished 6-11, the franchise parted ways with head coach Mike Vrabel, and then hired new head coach Brian Callahan.
Plenty of changes have been made around Levis, including adding veteran receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, along with running back Tony Pollard.
Additions have been made front as well, including the addition of center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency, and tackle JC Latham in the NFL Draft.
Levis said the vibe has been great, with the newcomers joining returning players.
"It was cool, once everybody got here, and once they realized what we were looking for out of this team, out of this offense, how bought in everyone became right away," Levis said. "It was cool to see the guys' emotions start to come out from them. A lot of guys coming of their shell. I feel like guys who maybe weren't very vocal guys are starting to be some juice guys in the locker room, which was really cool to see. Obviously, Cally and the coaches have fostered an environment where they are allowing that to happen."
The Titans begin the next phase of the team's offseason program next week, when they'll be on the field for three days of organized team activities.
The team is scheduled to hold 10 OTA practices in the next few weeks, along with a minicamp in June. Earlier, the Titans held a rookie minicamp, and a veteran minicamp.
Levis said he's excited about what he's seen so far, and about what's next.
"I made it a point to stick around here for the most part, and get to know the new everything. And I feel like it paid off," he said. "And once OTA season came around, things have been going smoothly, and I've just been loving everybody, and everything about it.
"And I love (what we've done with new additions). For one, it means (the front office isn't) afraid to make those investments, and they want to go win, which is awesome to see. We know we had the guys to make it work, but adding more guys certainly doesn't hurt and it creates more competition and more options and I am just excited to work with … the whole group."
