The Tennessee Titans brought a swift end to the Will Levis era ahead of the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline, waiving the former second-round quarterback after searching for a trade partner without success. The move, reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, officially closes the chapter on a signal-caller drafted under a previous front-office regime before he could reach his contract year.
With head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll restructuring the franchise ahead of the 2026 season, Tennessee elected to trim its roster from 90 to the mandated 53 players by parting ways with the 33rd overall pick from the 2023 draft. Rather than carrying three quarterbacks or holding out for future draft compensation, the new leadership chose a clean break.
Resetting the Signal-Caller Hierarchy in Nashville
Levis arrived in Tennessee following a publicized fall out of the first round in 2023. Though analysts projected him as a potential top choice, the Titans eventually traded up to select him at pick No. 33. Then-head coach Mike Vrabel made it clear early on that draft placement would not earn automatic leverage on the depth chart.
blockquote>"Ryan will be the starting quarterback on Monday. Malik will be the backup. Will will be the third quarterback. And what I've told them is whatever happens after that will be up to the players. That's what it's always been here. That's what we always want it to be."
That initial third-string designation set the tone for a brief, turbulent trajectory. As the franchise transitioned toward former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward—entering his second training camp with high expectations and the full backing of Saleh—the coaching staff opted for a complete offensive overhaul around Ward rather than managing legacy draft picks.
Preseason Evaluation and Roster Fallout
Tennessee's final roster decisions came into focus following their preseason finale against the Chicago Bears. Saleh rested the majority of his starters, opening the field for fringe candidates to make their final case. Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker took advantage of the opportunity, showcasing his playmaking capability to contend for a depth role in the reshuffled quarterback room.
The cutdown process brought additional moves across Tennessee's depth chart as the front office met the 6:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. CT) deadline:
- Will Levis (QB): Waived after trade negotiations failed to yield a partner.
- K.J. Osborn (WR): Released. The 29-year-old receiver was a four-year starter at Miami before being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
- Cordell Volson (G): Waived despite being signed to potentially start, receiving $2 guaranteed.
- Wide Receiver Trims: Additional releases included Bryce Oliver, Hank Beatty, Tyren Montgomery, and Joel.
On the injury front, the Titans received encouraging updates regarding wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson exited a joint practice with the Bears to undergo a concussion evaluation following a hard hit. Medical checks confirmed he did not sustain a concussion, clearing him for full activities. By shedding past draft commitments and enforcing immediate system fits, Saleh and Daboll have established an uncompromising standard in Nashville.
Sources
These sources formed the evidence pack for this article. Links open the original publisher; inclusion does not imply endorsement.
- rollingstone.com original
- yardbarker.com original
- mirror.co.uk original
