Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis will undergo surgery on his right throwing shoulder and miss the 2025 season.

The 26-year-old Levis participated in the team’s offseason workouts and seemed poised to compete with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward for the starting job. Ward now becomes the de facto starter, with veterans Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle set to compete for the backup job.

The Titans confirmed on Monday that Levis elected to have the surgery to repair the injury to the AC joint he suffered in a game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 30.

“We support his decision to focus on his long-term health,” the Titans said in a statement. “He approached the offseason with professionalism and showed clear growth as a leader. We remain confident in his full recovery.”

The surgery will be performed July 29.

The Titans selected Levis with the first pick of the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started nine games as a rookie and 12 last season, tallying a 5-16 record as a starter. He has completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,899 yards with 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

The Titans were 3-14 last season.

Ward, 23, passed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, both single-season school records for the University of Miami, en route to being selected the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year last fall.

The consensus All-American finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

In becoming the Division I record-holder for career touchdown passes with 158, Ward played two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State, where he played two more seasons ahead of his final season at Miami.

–Field Level Media