The Tennessee Titans made a pair of notable roster moves on Wednesday, releasing veteran center Lloyd Cushenberry III and veteran safety Xavier Woods as the team continues to reshape its roster ahead of free agency.
Cushenberry was released with a failed physical designation, while Woods was let go after just one season in Nashville. The moves further increase the Titans’ already league-leading salary cap space as they prepare to “attack both acquisition periods,” as general manager Mike Borgonzi recently described when referencing free agency and the NFL Draft.
Titans Move On From Lloyd Cushenberry III
Lloyd Cushenberry, 28, was entering the third year of the four-year, $50 million contract he signed with the Titans in 2024 after spending his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos. At the time, the deal made him one of the highest-paid centers in the NFL.
Across two seasons in Tennessee, Cushenberry started 23 games. However, injuries ultimately derailed his tenure. He was limited to eight games in 2024 after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 9. Last season, he began training camp on the physically unable to perform list before being activated in August and going on to play 15 games.
Performance-wise, Cushenberry showed flashes. In 2024 prior to his injury, he surrendered just one sack and posted an 89% pass block win rate, according to Tru Media. However, 2025 proved more uneven. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing six sacks and 25 pressures, both career highs.
Financially, the move makes sense for Tennessee. By releasing Cushenberry, the Titans save approximately $3.4 million in cap space. While the savings aren’t massive compared to his original contract value, the decision signals a desire to reset the interior offensive line and prioritize durability moving forward.
With Cushenberry gone, Tennessee’s depth chart at center is thin. Soon-to-be free agent Corey Levin and 2025 undrafted rookie Drew Moss are currently among the in-house options, though it would be surprising if the Titans don’t address the position through the draft or free agency.
Titans Part Ways With Xavier Woods
Xavier Woods, 30, signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Tennessee last March after previous stops with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers. His time with the Titans was brief.
Woods appeared in 11 games, starting 10, before a hamstring injury ended his 2025 season prematurely. He recorded 39 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. In coverage, he allowed 17 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown, while playing a career-low 526 defensive snaps.
Releasing Woods saves the Titans roughly $4 million in cap space. Tennessee is expected to turn to second-year safety Kevin Winston Jr. to start alongside veteran Amani Hooker. Kendell Brooks is also in the mix as a depth option.
Titans Positioned for Aggressive Offseason
The Titans entered Wednesday with nearly $100 million in cap space, the most in the NFL, and that figure has now climbed to over $105 million following the two releases, according to Spotrac. The combined cap hits for Cushenberry and Woods were manageable, allowing the team to create flexibility without significant long-term damage.
Despite finishing 3-14 last season, Tennessee is well-positioned for a rapid turnaround. The franchise holds eight picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, including the No. 4 overall selection.
Speaking at the NFL Combine, Borgonzi emphasized building through the draft.
“You’re trying to build a team and a locker room and a culture, and you do that through the draft,” he said. “We’re certainly going to have our hand in free agency as well… But really, through the draft is where you have to build that foundation initially.”
The releases of Lloyd Cushenberry and Xavier Woods create new roster voids at center and safety, but they also reinforce Tennessee’s broader strategy: clear space, accumulate flexibility, and reshape the roster around young foundational pieces.
With over $100 million in cap space and significant draft capital, the Titans have the resources to address both positions, and potentially much more, as they aim to make a significant leap in 2026.
