Titans Release Will Levis After Failed Backup Bid

Key points

• The Titans waived Will Levis, removing him from the active roster ahead of the 2026 regular season.
• Levis lost the competition for the backup quarterback position to veteran Mitch Trubisky, who was signed specifically for that role.
• The 27-year-old quarterback missed the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury, allowing Cam Ward to start all 17 games.
• Levis had 21 career starts but faced criticism for poor accuracy and high turnover rates, including 18 turnovers in 12 games in 2024.
• The decision follows months of trade rumors and internal evaluations that suggested Levis was unlikely to remain with the team.

Background

Levis was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, initially viewed as a potential franchise cornerstone. However, his rookie season was marked by significant turnovers, leading to his benching for Mason Rudolph. In 2024, he continued to struggle with consistency, tying for the league lead in turnovers despite limited playing time. The 2025 season was defined by the arrival of Cam Ward, selected No. 1 overall, and Levis’s subsequent shoulder surgery, which sidelined him entirely. Although Levis expressed confidence in his abilities during the 2026 offseason, asserting he was among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, the team’s decision to sign Trubisky and ultimately release Levis indicated a lack of faith in his development. The move also aligns with broader roster cuts, where the Titans released several other players, including wide receiver Bryce Oliver and quarterback Hendon Hooker.

Why it matters

The release of Will Levis marks the definitive end of the Titans' experiment with their former second-round pick, signaling a full commitment to the Cam Ward-led quarterback hierarchy. It highlights the team's strategic pivot toward stability and experience in the backup role, favoring Trubisky over a young player who failed to meet developmental benchmarks. For Levis, this move forces him into free agency, where his value will be determined by his physical talent versus his historical inconsistency, potentially impacting the quarterback market for teams seeking depth or a developmental project.

What to watch

Levis will enter the free agent market, where teams may evaluate him as a backup or developmental prospect, though his turnover history may limit interest. The Titans will proceed with Mitch Trubisky as the primary backup to Cam Ward, solidifying the quarterback depth chart for the 2026 season. Levis may pursue a tryout with another team or sign a futures contract, depending on market interest and his ability to demonstrate improved accuracy and decision-making.