By MIKE ROBERTS
Cut day in the NFL has come and gone and the Tennessee Titans, like every team, trimmed down their roster to 53 players. Considering that the Titans had 91 players when they closed their preseason schedule on Saturday with a 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears, making the requisite transactions as quite the task. The Titans are now focused on beginning the much-anticipated regular season, which begins on September 13 against the New York Jets at home.
This week in the Titans report, we look at the end of a well-known player’s tenure in Nashville, as well as the biggest surprise and the biggest mistake in the roster cuts.
The Will Levis Era Comes to an End
The Titans cut a slew of players such as guard Cordell Volson and running back D’ Ernest Johnson. But quarterback Will Levis (63.1 %, 2,091 yards, 13 TD) was undoubtedly the team’s most well-known player to be waived before the 6 p.m. Sunday cut deadline.
The waiving of Levis certainly wasn’t a surprise, as most experts expected such a move to happen. We predicted it, too. Not to brag, we also called that the Titans chose to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster, and which two: starter Cam Ward (59.8%, 3,169 yards, 15 TD) and Mitchell Trubisky (71.4%, 313 yards, 4 TD).
Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, Levis was considered one of the top quarterbacks coming out of college. He was rumored to go to the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall that year. But after Indianapolis took fellow quarterback Anthony Richardson instead, Levis slipped to the second round, where the Titans selected him with the 33rd overall pick.
Levis was supposed to emerge as the Titans’ franchise QB, but he never panned out. Now the former Kentucky Wildcat will get a fresh start with a new team.
Biggest Surprise: WR Bryce Oliver
The 26-year-old was expected to make the Titans’ roster, but he failed to stand out in a crowded wide receiver room. Oliver signed with the Titans as a free agent after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He played the past two seasons in Nashville, catching seven passes for 103 yards in 13 games.
Which wideouts made the cut? Free-agent signee Wan’Dale Robinson, for one. So did rookie Carnell Tate, who the team selected fourth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, and Xavier Restrepo also made the opening day roster. Meanwhile, Oliver, Mason Kinsey, Hank Beatty, and K.J. Osborn were among the notable cuts at the position. Beatty and Osborn were signed to the practice squad on Monday, as was former Tennessee Vol quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Biggest Mistake: OT Austin Deculus
Perhaps the Titans’ biggest mistake at the cut deadline was keeping Deculus, a 27-year-old lineman who emerged as a starter for the Los Angeles Chargers last season following injuries to their key tackles. Yet, he would become one of the NFL’s worst starting tackles in Los Angeles, allowing 39 pressures in 13 games.
The Titans believed they could get more out of Deculus, as they signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. But during the preseason, he allowed consistent pressure and opposing backup pass rushers were able to get past him with ease and get to the quarterback. While Deculus will serve as a swing tackle for now, the Titans have a good shot to land an upgrade via waivers.
Then again, maybe Deculus can get it together and prove to be a good pickup at some point this season.
Next Level Locals
Cut day was unkind to several players from the region. Former ETSU DB Alijah Huzzie got cut by the Houston Texans in somewhat of a surprise, but the Texans signed Huzzie back to their practice squad on Monday.
LB Jaden Keller (Bristol/Tennessee High/Virginia Tech) got cut by the New York Jets but signed to their practice squad.
Detroit Lions TE James Mitchell (Union/Virginia Tech) was waived earlier in the week.
Two former ETSU players did make 53-man rosters: TE Nate Adkins for the Denver Broncos, and RB Jacob Saylors for the Detroit Lions.