Sometimes the second impression is the one that sticks. That seems to be the case for Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz when it comes to getting to know quarterback Will Levis.

"When you’re around Will, he sometimes doesn’t give you a lot," Holz explained Wednesday, three days into the Titans' voluntary offseason program. "He’s kind of stoic at times. You’re kind of ‘Uh, who is this guy?’ That was just in our handshake meetings, get to know yous. Now that we’re in the football, you really see and his brain working and his process through it."

Levis' first offseason as the Titans' starting quarterback hasn't exactly been a paragon of continuity. He's getting to know a new coach in Brian Callahan, new offensive coordinator in Holz and new quarterbacks coach in Bo Hardegree. And that's not mentioning the slew of free agents the Titans signed to start alongside him, ranging from center Lloyd Cushenberry III to receiver Calvin Ridley to running back Tony Pollard.

But Callahan and Holz say they're pleased with the way they're seeing Levis attack the offseason. Callahan said it's his goal to enable Levis to be authentically himself as a player and as a leader, and he's seeing the former second-round NFL Draft pick be genuine in his own way.

"Just from what I’ve seen so far — I’m still learning Will every day that goes on — but he’s got an intensity and an intent every time he walks in the building," Callahan said. "I think you see that in his play. When you watch him play you see that intensity, that fire that he’s got. That’s not manufactured. That’s how he is ... He’s very determined to improve his game. I think if you have that part you have a chance to do a lot of really cool things."

Levis started nine games as a rookie in 2023, throwing eight touchdowns with four interceptions and leading the Titans to three wins. At his best, he looked like a budding star, one who was at ease throwing four touchdowns in his NFL debut and leading furious comeback to beat the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. But he also struggled consistently completing passes at times behind a patchwork offensive line with a less-than-stellar group of receivers.

Holz said the thing about Levis he's been most impressed with over these first few days in the building has been the way he asks questions. He'll absorb information one day and come back the next with insightful responses to what he learned. But, in the same breaths, he'll also be making suggestions based on what he's done in the past and what he's comfortable with.

That give and take, in Callahan's mind, is central to Levis' development. Performance has to come first, Callahan added, and that's why he's excited to see the young quarterback pore over the details of the new scheme and the operations of what he'll have to do within it. If Levis only does that, he'll have checked off his first box.

"In his operation of learning, he can help get the information to other guys on the offense," Callahan said. "That’s where you start to take on the leadership role. As a leader you always want to make sure you take care of what you’re taking care of first. That way your example, at the minimum, is what you want people to follow.

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"I think he’s done a really good job of that. But he’s at a point where he’s got two things going on. He’s trying to build these relationships and be a leader as well as learning an entirely new way of doing and playing football. He’s got a lot on his plate."

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: QB Will Levis is wowing his new Tennessee Titans coaches in 1 vital way