Mason

Rudolph

He played for the majority of the second and third quarters, ending with 26 snaps to Will Levis’ 34. Rudolph led two field-goal drives, while Levis led the only touchdown drive and gave away a touchdown. It was, spiritually, about what we expected. There has been some smoke about Rudolph being a “bridge” quarterback for the Titans in 2025, but we’ll have to see how ownership reacts to this loss and the clinching of the No. 1 overall pick. Rudolph is an unrestricted free agent entering his age-30 season and will look to catch on as a backup somewhere.

The league leader in turnovers per game will be given one final mission to close out the 2024 season for the Titans. Levis hasn’t taken a snap since Week 15 after being benched for a second time in favor of Mason Rudolph. Callahan said earlier in the week that both Levis and Rudolph would play in Week 18, so it’s hard to know just how long we could see the second-year signal-caller for. Levis and Baker Mayfield are both tied for the second-most turnovers in the league with 17. There’s a good chance Levis could secure the lead if he’s on the field long enough in the season-finale.

Callahan praised Levis for his professionalism since being demoted while adding that he’s earned the right to compete in the final week of the season. It’s been a rough second season for Levis, whose 17 turnovers are tied for second-most in the league with Baker Mayfield despite playing in just 11 games this season. Levis hasn’t started since Week 15 but will get one more chance to show what he can do in-game before the Titans head into what’s sure to be a busy offseason.

Rudolph got another start for the Titans, playing another conservative game en route to loss No. 13 for the season. He threw an interception in the second quarter, though it was tipped before getting picked off in the middle of the field. His sole touchdown pass was an eight-yard pass to a wide open Nick Vannett in the second half. Rudolph had a chance to tie the game on the Titans’ final drive, but missed several receivers, including Chig Okonkwo for an open sideline touchdown and Nick Westrbook-Ikhine for the last play off the game. The Titans get swept by the Jaguars for the season series and will likely have a higher draft pick. Rudolph should remain off fantasy radars for any Week 18 considerations.

Callahan hemmed and hawed about who he’d use at quarterback on Monday, but has settled on another Rudolph start. Rudolph will be a low-end superflex QB2 in a good matchup against Jacksonville’s defense in Week 17. It’s also strong news for Calvin Ridley off another solid game in Week 16 with Rudolph (3/78/1). Will Levis remains on the bench for yet another week as the Titans believe Rudolph’s ability to stay on schedule will help them push the Jaguars lower in the draft order.

The Titans offense could not consistently move the ball until late in the game, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter. Rudolph replaced Will Levis as starter last week and threw a 38-yard touchdown to Calvin Ridley in the first half. He then threw a late second quarter interception and had a second half interception tipped off of Tony Pollard’s hands. The Titans nearly came back with Rudolph throwing a six-yard score to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in the fourth quarter. Rudolph had a chance to get laterals going with three seconds left in the game, but threw a game-sealing interception. The Titans offense will have fantasy potential in comeback mode, but Rudolph should not be on fantasy radars the rest of the season.

Callahan told reporters that Rudolph could start the remaining three games, but the team is taking things week by week. Will Levis was benched last week after throwing three interceptions on just 12 attempts. The implosion left Callahan with no choice but to return to Rudolph. The journeyman turned things around, throwing for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a losing effort to the Bengals. While Rudolph isn’t a starting-caliber passer, his floor is notably higher than that of Levis. He should be able to stabilize Calvin Ridley as a WR3 to close out the year. Rudolph himself is not on the fantasy radar for Week 16, even in Superflex leagues.

Fowler doesn’t out-and-out say it will be Mason Rudolph, but uh, who else would it be? Zach Mettenberger? Rudolph will take over for Will Levis and lower the ceiling of the Titans passing attack while also bringing its floor up from rock bottom. Rudolph did force-feed Calvin Ridley in his tenure as starter earlier this year, giving the No. 1 wideout 32 targets in three starts. It would stand to reason that Ridley could be a fantasy beneficiary of the move.

Levis was benched in Week 15’s loss to the Bengals after committing four turnovers. The second-year quarterback is already looking at a job as a career backup less than two years after the Titans made him the No. 33 overall pick, but whether or not he gets another start this season currently hangs in the balance. Mason Rudolph isn’t the Titans’ quarterback of the future, but he may prove to be the better option for a team hoping to close out the year on a high note. Rudolph threw for 209-2-1 in relief of Levis in yesterday’s loss and will in all likelihood draw the start for Week 16 once the coaches are through with their “evaluations.”

Rudolph stepped into the game in the third quarter after a poor showing from incumbent starter Will Levis. He threw 26 passes in a negative game script, doing damage in garbage time. Tyjae Spears took a Rudolph pass to the house for one score, while Rudolph found Josh Whyle as time expired in the game for the second score. Rudolph also threw an interception as the Titans as a whole combined for six turnovers. If Rudolph gets the nod to start the rest of the season, he is a QB3 and should only be started in a pinch.