The Tennessee Titans are ready to make Will Levis their starting quarterback for the 2024 season, but there's still some debate about who will back him up.

Titans coach Brian Callahan indicated when he might make a decision between Malik Willis and Mason Rudolph after practice on Tuesday.

"That's going to be one that's separated by how they play in the preseason," Callahan said. "That's going to be the final tilt one way or the other, just based on their performances when the game is for real."

Willis, 25, is entering his third year with the Titans. He was drafted in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Liberty. He's made three starts and has yet to thrown a touchdown pass.

Rudolph, 29, was signed by the Titans in March. He went 8-4-1 in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State.

"It's been a really fun, competitive battle," Callahan said of Willis and Rudolph. "Those guys have both played good football. They're doing things the right way. They're managing the offense, finding completions. I've really been happy with both of them."

While Rudolph may be the presumed backup quarterback based on playing experience, Willis has been a standout in Titans training camp so far. On Saturday, he completed 8-of-10 pass attempts during 7-on-7 drills in one of his best practice showings to date.

Willis and Rudolph split passing reps behind Levis on Tuesday. All three quarterbacks worked with the starting and backup offensive line and wide receivers at various times throughout practice.

Malik Willis confident in his ability to play for Tennessee Titans

Callahan's indication that the backup quarterback job might depend on who plays well in the preseason is a good sign for Willis.

Objectively speaking, Rudolph has the upper hand in the camp battle with Willis. He's started 13 games in the NFL so far, and in 2023 he helped the Steelers squeak into the NFL playoffs with three straight wins to finish the season.

Willis said he's enjoyed the opportunity to compete for the Tennessee Titans' backup quarterback spot.

"Competing is what brings out the best in all of us," Willis said. "A guy makes a throw, then you want to go out there and make a throw. Competitive spirit in the room."

While Willis' resume doesn't look like Rudolph's, he's confident that once he gets more playing time in the preseason, he will show what he's capable of.

"Everybody has a different story. All you can do is control what you can control. There's guys in my (draft class) that have played a lot of football. I've only started three games, that's all the tape I have."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans backup QB competition: Malik Willis or Mason Rudolph?