Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Stephen A. Smith shines light on an unfair Will Levis question that more people will start to ask

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Sam Phalen | Last updated 10/16/24

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons after a disappointing start to the 2024 season.

Levis threw for just 95 yards in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts and the Titans' conservative offensive game plan was glaringly obvious from the opening kick off. It seemed as though head coach Brian Callahan didn't trust his quarterback enough to let him loose. As result, Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley got frustrated with his lack of targets and spoke out in the locker room.

Now the national media, including ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, are looking right at the Titans' incompetence.

Stephen A. went in on Levis during an episode of "First Take" this week for underperforming while being featured in numerous mainstream commercials.

"How the hell he get these commercials?! That's the problem with America. We've got to stop rewarding mediocrity. How you gonna get a mayonnaise commercial and you playing like that?! I mean, come on," said Smith.

Now is this fair from Stephen A.? Of course not. It's not like Levis is out actively shooting these commercials during the season. These were booked and shot during the offseason.

Besides, marketing yourself off the football field has absolutely no impact on your ability to perform as a quarterback. There is no correlation there.

That being said, Stephen A. is simply shining the light on a question that more people will continue to ask if Levis doesn't turn things around this season. These ads aren't going away. They'll be on television screens across all of America during the entire season.

That's the price of being an NFL quarterback. That's the negative price you pay for cashing the check off the field. You open yourself to unfair criticism.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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