Titans Release Veteran Starting Center

The Tennessee Titans will have a new starting center heading into the 2026 season.

Oct 19, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry III (79) walks off the field post game against the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Tennessee Titans have released veteran center Lloyd Cushenberry, Ian Rapoport reported on Feb. 25.

Cusheberry signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the Titans in 2024. He was due to make $8 million this upcoming season, according to Rapoport.

Team reporterJim Wyatt addedthat Cushenberry was released with a failed physical designation.

The #Titans are releasing starting center Lloyd Cushenberry, sources say, moving on from a former big-ticket free agent from 2024.

He signed a 4-year, $50M deal two years ago and was due $8M this season. Now, Cam Ward will have a new center. pic.twitter.com/9XUm9stCkq

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2026

Cushenberry started 23 games with the Titans across two seasons, including 15 games with rookie quarterback Cam Ward in 2025. Cusheberry's 2024 season ended early after suffering an Achilles tear.

Cushenberry spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, making 57 starts during his time in the Mile-High City.

The Broncos drafted Cushenberry in the third round, 83rd overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU.

Cushenberry was part of the 2019 Tigers team that is widely regarded as one of the greatest college teams of all time, finishing 15-0 and winning both the SEC and national championship. In that same season, Cusheberry was named the LSU Football MVP, and the offensive line won the Joe Moore Award.

Titans Also Release Xavier Woods

Dec 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Xavier Woods (25) intercepts a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Titans have also released veteran safety Xavier Woods, according to Wyatt.

Woods spent just the 2025 season with Tennessee after signing a two-year, $8 million deal last March. He played in 11 games, starting 10, and recorded 39 total tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups. His season was cut short after suffering a hamstring injury.

Woods previously played with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers.

Titans Cut Two Veterans

Sep 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry III (79) during pre-game warmups against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Titans continue to free up cap space before the legal tampering period on March 9. According to Spotrac, the Titans are now up to $105.3 million in cap space, which is the most in the NFL.

The cap hits for cutting Cushenberry and Woods were quite minimal, too. The combined total between the two veterans was $10.05 million.

Cushenberry is coming off a below-average season, according to Pro Football Focus. The 28-year-old center allowed a career-high six sacks in 2025, along with 25 pressures.

Woods played a career-low 526 snaps this past year and allowed 17 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown in coverage.

The good news is that the Titans are plentiful in resources to replace each position. Along with over $100 million in cap space, Tennessee owns eight draft picks in 2026.

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