NFL Rumors: Will Titans continue to play Will Levis at QB for rest of season?
Will Levis was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, with there being buzz that he could be picked as high as second overall. However, the Kentucky Wildcats signal caller fell out of the first round completely, but the Tennessee Titans traded up early in the second round to select him.
Levis made his first start on Sunday afternoon in place of an injured Ryan Tannehill, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 6. In the game, Levis threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns in the team's 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. It may be one start, but Levis showed that he could potentially be the franchise's answer at quarterback for the foreseeable future. But will he be the QB1 for the remainder of the season?
Ahead of the team's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said that Levis will be the starter, but only if Tannehill isn't cleared for the game.
Beyond Week 9, Vrabel didn't give any firm plans on what they would do beyond that if Tannehill were to be healthy.
"Until Ryan is healthy," said Vrabel, h/t the Titan's official website. "I don't think I am ready to make a determination. … We're talking about hypotheticals. We'll get Ryan healthy and see where things are at then."
While Levis is likely to play in Week 9, this does open the door for a potential quarterback controversy, based on Vrabel's comments. If Tannehill is healthy, does Vrabel sit the hot hand who led the team to a victory after the bye week? Let's not forget that Levis already surpassed Tannehill's passing touchdown total on the year. The
Through six games this season, Tannehill threw for 1,128 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 62.0 percent of his passes.
The Titans quarterback situation will be worth monitoring leading up to Thursday night, and beyond that game.
NFL Rumors: Chiefs wide receiver is looking for a trade elsewhere
The Kansas City Chiefs saw a lengthy streak come to an end this weekend. On Sunday, the Chiefs lost 24-9 to the rival Denver Broncos, thus ending a 16-game winning streak they had in the head-to-head series. There were areas of concern in the loss, most notably at the wide receiver position. Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore had notably drops in the game, with the latter's being in the end zone to potentially cut into the Broncos' lead.
While Chiefs fans are looking for the team to find some additional help, there is one who wants out of Kansas City.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs and Richie James are "exploring trade possibilities." Fowler notes that James "appears the odd man out" after the team acquired Mecole Hardman from the New York Jets.
James had played just two games with the Chiefs this season and had been placed on the injured reserve ever since due to a knee injury suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In those two games, James caught one of three targets for six yards.
The Chiefs are still sitting atop the AFC with a 6-2 record, and making an impactful trade would make sense. The thing is, they don't have much draft capital (five picks in 2024) at their disposal to make such a move. Maybe they do try to bring in a wide receiver on the cheap, but one thing is for certain, and that's they are exploring options to move James elsewhere.
NFL Rumors: Bears linked to Chase Young ahead of trade deadline
The Washington Commanders had a big game ahead of them in Week 8. Not only would a win over the rival Philadelphia Eagles get them back to .500 and in a better position in the playoff race, but it would determine how they would approach the Oct. 31 trade deadline. The Commanders lost 38-31 and now sit at 3-5 entering both the trade deadline and Week 9.
It will remain to be seen if the team follows through with their plan to sell if they lose. But one of the more prominent names mentioned in trade talks is defensive end Chase Young, who is in the final year of his contract. There is one team that is linked in the hours leading up to the deadline.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, there are rumors "in league circles" linking the Commanders and Young to the Chicago Bears.
As Florio mentions, the link to the Bears is odd, considering the Bears are 2-6 after their Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, But Florio says that it would be a "long-term play for the Bears," as they have the cap space to sign him to a contract after acquiring him.
The Bears have had an obvious pass rush need since trading away Khalil Mack. Through eight games this season, Chicago has just 10 sacks, the fewest in the NFL. Bringing in a big name like Young, although he had not lived up to his rookie season due to injuries, would be a solution if he puts it all together.
Through seven games (six starts), Young recorded 15 total tackles (12 solo, three assisted), nine quarterback hits, six tackles for loss and five sacks. Young recorded 38 total pressures and 27 hurries on 247 pass-rush snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that the Commanders are willing to listen to offers for either Young or fellow defensive end Montez Sweat but are seeking a second-round draft pick.
Will Young be on the move? And will the Bears be the team that is able to acquire him? We'll find out once 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday arrives.