In a surprising move, the Tennessee Titans bid farewell to star safety Kevin Byard this week, sending him to the Philadelphia Eagles. As they say goodbye to one key player, the Titans are also gearing up to potentially welcome two new quarterbacks to the field in Week 8.

Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters on Tuesday, revealing that he expects both Malik Willis and Will Levis to see playing time against the Atlanta Falcons, should starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill be unavailable. The decision stems from Tannehill's ankle injury suffered in Week 6 and his subsequent absence from practice on Tuesday, leading to doubts about his availability for Sunday's game.

While the Titans had previously relied on Willis as Tannehill's primary backup, the latest reports from NFL Media suggest that it will be Levis, the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, who will make his NFL debut as the starting quarterback in Week 8.

Tannehill's ankle injury has raised concerns, and initial reports indicate that he may be sidelined for up to six weeks. This injury comes on the heels of ankle issues he faced towards the end of the 2022 season, further complicating his recovery timeline.

The decision to give the starting nod to Levis marks a departure from the team's previous quarterback depth chart. Willis, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, had been Tannehill's primary backup this season, beating out Levis for the position. During his own rookie season, Willis started three games in place of an injured Tannehill but struggled, completing only 50.8% of his passes during a 1-2 stretch.

Levis, once considered a potential early first-round pick, has yet to take a snap in the NFL. He missed valuable preseason time due to injury, but with Tannehill's unavailability, the Titans are now thrusting him into a prominent role earlier than expected.

The Titans' decision to trade Byard to the Eagles reflects a significant change in their defensive strategy. Byard, a two-time All-Pro safety, has been a key anchor for the Titans' defense, but his departure paves the way for the team to address other needs and adjust their defensive approach moving forward.

As the Titans prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the Falcons, the spotlight will be on Levis as he makes his much-anticipated NFL debut. Titans fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the young quarterback handles the pressure and performs on the big stage.

In a week full of unexpected changes, the Titans are hoping that their new quarterback duo, Levis and Willis, can help steer the team to victory and keep their playoff hopes alive. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off for the Titans as they navigate through a pivotal point in their season.