Will Levis injury timeline: Titans GM details process that led to QB's surgery decision

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Tennessee Titans GM Mike Borgonzi didn't divulge too many details about the conversations with quarterback Will Levis that led to season-ending shoulder surgery, but he did shine some light on the process.
"We knew after the season that rest and rehab was the recommendation from our staff and from the second-opinion staff that (Levis) sought information on," Borgonzi told media July 22, one day after the team announced the news of Levis' upcoming surgery. "There was an option that they recommended he push through the offseason, which he did. He had a really good offseason. And if he felt discomfort that he would proceed with the surgery. That's what he did."
Levis was a full participant in the Titans' offseason program, throwing and practicing through OTAs and minicamp. He also spent a chunk of the offseason working with quarterbacks coach Jordan Palmer. Borgonzi elected not to divulge any information on the substance of the conversations he had with Levis that led to the surgical decision, but the decision was made and now Levis will sit out the 2025 season.
"Out of respect to Will, we have had conversations. He's been very transparent with us. We knew there was a possibility that he could have this surgery," Borgonzi said. "Out of respect with Will I'd like to keep those medical conversations private. We were aware of it, though."
Will Levis stats, injury, surgery details
Levis initially injured the shoulder in Week 4 of the 2024 season. The injury occurred before a bye week, so Levis rested and returned after the open date without missing time, but the nagging nature of the injury landed him on the rehab table again, forcing him to miss three games. Levis was reinstalled as the Titans' starter after those three weeks, but his play took a dip after four games, culminating in his benching amid a four-turnover performance against Cincinnati.
Following Levis' up-and-down season, the Titans drafted quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In addition to Ward, the Titans' quarterback room sans Levis consists of veterans Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker said they're comfortable with the three passers the Titans have in the room heading into the start of training camp, and Borgonzi singled out Allen as having had an impressive offseason.
Allen and Boyle are a combined 2-13 as starting quarterbacks in the NFL.
The Titans drafted Levis in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft as the heir apparent to Ryan Tannehill. He emerged as the Titans' starter midway through the 2023 season and entered 2024 as the face of the franchise's rebuild. But he struggled in 2024, throwing 12 interceptions and fumbling 10 times with 41 sacks in 12 games.
The Titans open training camp on July 23.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at [e-mail]. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Levis surgery decision: Titans detail behind-the-scenes process