Sports
Biggest remaining offseason priority for each AFC team: QB1 for Raiders? WR help for Steelers?
Top priority: Immerse Will Levis in Brian Callahan’s system.
No one questions Levis’ big arm or willingness to stand in and take a hit, but will he be able to make the mundane throws that keep an offense on schedule? Last year, Levis averaged 10.5 air yards per attempt, the highest mark for any quarterback since 2020 (min. 200 attempts), per Next Gen Stats. In a quick-pass league, can Levis keep the chains moving when the big shots aren’t there? In Callahan’s five years as offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, the highest single-season air-yards-per-attempt figure registered by any Bengals quarterback was Joe Burrow‘s mark of 8.8 in his rookie season. From that point forward, the number dwindled, much like it has for many teams across the league. In the past two seasons, Burrow’s AY/A figures were 7.2 and 6.5, respectively. Jake Browning‘s AY/A after taking over for JB in 2023 was 6.3. Yes, Burrow would have his “Whatever, Ja’Marr Chase is down there somewhere” moments, but at its core, Cincinnati’s attack was a station-to-station offense under Callahan. Levis will need to master that ability this offseason as he prepares to play for his new head coach. The Titans have brought in the veteran receivers to help him accomplish that goal. If he struggles through the first few months of the season, perhaps we could see Mason Rudolph — who can lead that type of timing offense — come out of the bullpen.