NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Surely new Titans quarterback Brandon Allen can’t be in a play as a starting option in the stop-gap scenario we’ve discussed for the team, where it passes on Cam Ward, trading out of No. 1 and addressing another spot with its first-round pick.
He has started 10 games in which his teams have gone 2-8. He's thrown 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions and owns a 76.2 passer rating.
Mike Garafolo reported the one-year deal with Tennessee.
Earlier he said that Mason Rudolph mulled a return to the Titans before returning to Pittsburgh. Rudolph was a terrible option to start or backup after a year where he played in eight games, starting five, and did nothing to alleviate the turnover issues that prompted the Titans to turn away from Will Levis (who was also out for an injury at one point).
Brian Callahan coached Allen from 2020-22 in Cincinnati.
“Adequate backup,” said Blake Beddingfield, the former Titans scout who now consults for teams. “Good mover and can extend passes with the ability to move in the pocket. Better short to intermediate passer with occasional deep ball ability. Always felt small to me with below-average height and small hands.
"Hasn’t been as accurate as you would like, but doesn’t turn it over much. If he is a No. 2 you don’t want him playing a lot. If competing with Levis they are polar opposites. Levis has a big arm and is a better athlete, but obviously has too many turnovers. Allen is more controlled but less spectacular.”
The thing about bringing in Allen, or Rudolph had he accepted his offer, and drafted Ward is that it seems unlikely the Titans will ultimately keep three quarterbacks.
Will the Titans stray from the norm in quarterback numbers? So will Allen and Levis fight to back up the rookie? Or is the stopgap option still alive where the team would grin and bear it with Levis and Allen while improving other areas and looking to the 2026 draft to really address QB? I guess there is still an outside chance of something happening with Kirk Cousins.
Allen was the Jaguars' sixth-round pick in 2016 out of Arkansas. He never played for Jacksonville. He played one year for Denver, three for Cincinnati, and two for San Francisco, though he was never active in 2023.