Titans bench Levis after 3 INTs, including pick-six

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans benched starter Will Levis in the third quarter of their 37-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday after the quarterback threw his third interception of the day, a pick-six by safety Geno Stone. Callahan had quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree inform Levis he was being benched.

“Today wasn’t his day,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said after the game. “He had a couple bad picks, put us in some tough spots, so I made a decision to sit him down.”

Levis locked onto tight end Chig Okonkwo on the play-action pass attempt across the middle. Stone played the middle of the field and read Levis’ eyes before taking it back 40 yards for a touchdown to make the score 31-14.

Veteran Mason Rudolph came on in relief of Levis. Rudolph had four starts this season, while Levis was out because of a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted a Rudolph pass that was intended for Okonkwo two series later.

The Bengals forced six turnovers Sunday, four of which were courtesy of Levis. Levis’ first turnover was a fumble on Tennessee’s third possession after leading the team to touchdowns on its opening two drives.

Levis finished the game 8-of-12 for 89 yards and the three interceptions and fumble lost. Rudolph finished 21-of-26 for 209 yards with two touchdown passes and the interception.

Entering Week 15, Levis’ nine interceptions were the sixth most in the NFL this season. His four interceptions returned for a touchdown are the most by any quarterback this season.

Callahan declined to comment on who would be the quarterback next week. The first-year coach clearly has some important factors to weigh in his decision. Rudolph has been in Levis’ shoes before and believes he still has good football left to play.

“I’ve been benched, and it’s no fun,” Rudolph said. “You can learn from it and it hardens you as a man, as a human being. It is all about how you how you respond, and I know he’ll respond well.”

Callahan has to balance trying to coach Levis through the poor play with making sure he’s putting the team in the best situation to win.

“It’s just there’s too many negatives that don’t give us a chance to win a game,” Callahan said. “That’s where we’re at right now is we’re trying to find ways to win games if we’re not getting enough positive plays in a row from the quarterback position.”

The Titans hired Callahan because of his extensive experience working with quarterbacks, including Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, Super Bowl winner Matthew Stafford and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. The Titans’ plan was to pair Callahan with a fortified roster to offer Levis an opportunity to prove he could be their franchise quarterback.

With three games left, Levis intends to keep taking advantage of whatever opportunities he gets.

“I’m just going to fight every day for this team until I can’t anymore,” Levis said. “I’m not threatened. I know who I am as a player, what I’m capable of. I’m going to keep swinging, that’s for sure.”