Former Kentucky QB Will Levis to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery, Leaving Titans Without Projected Starter for Entire 2025 NFL Season.
What was supposed to be a breakout season for Will Levis has taken a heartbreaking turn. The former Kentucky Wildcats star and current Tennessee Titans quarterback will miss the entire 2025 NFL season due to a significant shoulder injury that now requires season-ending surgery, the team confirmed on Thursday.
Levis, who was expected to solidify his role as the Titans’ franchise quarterback in his second season, had shown promising flashes in 2024 and was widely regarded as a key figure in Tennessee’s rebuild. His absence now leaves the Titans scrambling for answers under center, raising pressing questions about the team’s offensive identity and long-term plans.
A Sudden Setback After a Promising Offseason
After showing growth late in the 2024 season, Levis entered the offseason as the undisputed QB1 in Nashville. Titans head coach Brian Callahan consistently praised Levis’ command of the offense, work ethic, and improved accuracy during OTAs and minicamp. With new weapons around him and a revamped offensive line, 2025 was shaping up to be Levis’ coming-out party.
However, sources close to the organization revealed that Levis experienced recurring shoulder pain during throwing drills earlier this summer. After multiple medical evaluations and second opinions, it was determined that Levis had sustained a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder — an injury that requires surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation.
“This is a tough blow,” said Callahan. “Will worked incredibly hard this offseason, and we were excited about the progress he had made. But this is part of football. Now it’s about supporting Will through his recovery and preparing our team to move forward.”
Titans’ Quarterback Dilemma
With Levis now out for the season, the Titans’ quarterback depth chart takes center stage. Veteran backup Ryan Tannehill was not re-signed in the offseason, and 2023 rookie Malik Willis was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That leaves rookie second-round pick K.J. Jefferson and journeyman quarterback Trevor Siemian as the only healthy QBs on the roster.
Jefferson, the former Arkansas standout, now has a legitimate opportunity to earn meaningful snaps — perhaps even the Week 1 starting job. But relying on a rookie in a pivotal year for the franchise is risky, especially in a division with playoff contenders like Jacksonville and Houston.
“This changes everything,” one AFC South executive told The Athletic. “Tennessee was building around Levis. Now they’re rethinking their whole offensive approach.”
Levis’ NFL Journey: From Kentucky Star to Titans Hope
Will Levis rose to national prominence during his time at Kentucky, where his blend of toughness, arm strength, and athleticism made him one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. After being projected as a possible top-10 pick, he surprisingly slipped into the second round before being selected No. 33 overall by the Titans.
The fall in the draft only added to Levis’ competitive fire. He made his debut in Week 8 of the 2023 season, throwing four touchdown passes in a stunning win over the Atlanta Falcons. While consistency was an issue as a rookie, Levis showed flashes of high-level play, particularly in his deep-ball accuracy and poise under pressure.
He finished his rookie campaign with 1,808 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in nine starts — enough for the Titans to commit to him as their future QB1. Going into 2025, analysts saw him as a breakout candidate, thanks to a year of experience, improved coaching, and new offensive weapons like free-agent WR Tee Higgins and first-round pick LT J.C. Latham.
What This Means for Tennessee in 2025
The Titans entered 2025 looking to take a major step forward after finishing 7-10 in 2024. They had retooled the roster with youth and speed, betting on Levis’ development as the engine of their resurgence. Now, the offense faces a complete reset.
Offensive coordinator Nick Holz will have to rework the playbook for either Jefferson or Siemian — a challenge given both quarterbacks’ limited experience in this system. Additionally, the loss of Levis could affect the production of star running back Tyjae Spears and newly acquired receivers, whose chemistry with Levis was reportedly growing.
“We spent the whole offseason building around Will,” said one Titans assistant coach anonymously. “That’s not something you can replicate overnight.”
Long-Term Ramifications
While the Titans will likely explore veteran options at quarterback, including the potential signing of a free agent or trade, the long-term plan still centers around Levis — assuming he returns fully healthy in 2026.
Shoulder injuries to quarterbacks, particularly involving the throwing arm, can be career-altering. However, medical advancements have made full recoveries more common, as seen in the cases of Drew Brees and Andrew Luck. Still, every recovery is different, and the Titans will have to weigh Levis’ rehab timeline against next year’s draft class, which could include blue-chip prospects like Shedeur Sanders and Quinn Ewers.
“There’s always uncertainty when it comes to shoulder surgery,” said Dr. James Andrews, who has not treated Levis but has performed similar surgeries. “But if the tear is clean and the recovery process is followed precisely, most quarterbacks can regain their full range of motion and strength.”
Levis Speaks Out
In a message posted to social media, Levis expressed disappointment but also optimism.
“This isn’t how I imagined 2025 starting,” Levis wrote. “But I believe everything happens for a reason. I’m going to attack this rehab process like I attack the game—with discipline, intensity, and focus. I’ll be back stronger than ever.”
Teammates quickly rallied around him. Tee Higgins posted, “We’ve got your back, bro. Heal up.” Spears added, “Your comeback will be legendary.”
Kentucky Fans React
Back in Lexington, Levis remains a beloved figure. Kentucky fans flooded social media with support, recalling his toughness and leadership during his time with the Wildcats. Many pointed to how Levis played through injuries in college and expect him to bring the same grit to this latest challenge.
“Kentucky fans remember Will as a warrior,” said UK alum and sports radio host Matt Jones. “He gave everything to our program and made us believe. Now it’s our turn to believe in him.”
What’s Next for the Titans?
The Titans now face a pivotal training camp. K.J. Jefferson is expected to take the majority of first-team reps moving forward, and the team is reportedly considering bringing in a veteran like Carson Wentz or Nick Foles for depth and mentorship.
Meanwhile, the front office will monitor Levis’ recovery closely. GM Ran Carthon emphasized in a statement that the team still considers Levis “a foundational piece of our future” and will do everything to support his return.
“Adversity tests character,” Carthon said. “We believe Will has the mental and physical toughness to come back even better.”
The NFL is a league of uncertainty — and for the Titans, Will Levis’ season-ending surgery underscores just how quickly things can change. A franchise banking on its young quarterback must now navigate the challenges of a lost season, development under duress, and possible changes to its long-term strategy.
But for Levis, this is just another chapter in a career that’s always been defined by resilience. From his draft-night slide to his Kentucky grit and NFL flashes, Levis has never backed down from a challenge. If he returns to form, the Titans’ faith in him will be rewarded.
For now, though, Tennessee must rally — without their rising star — and find new answers in a season that’s already taken a dramatic turn.
