Titans Waive Will Levis as Cam Ward Era Begins

Key points

• The Titans waived Will Levis on August 30, 2026, as part of their roster cutdown to 53 players.
• Levis had been demoted to third-string quarterback behind 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and free-agent addition Mitch Trubisky.
• Levis missed the entire 2025 season due to shoulder surgery and was benched in 2024 after the team went 2-10 when he started.
• Potential landing spots for Levis include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, and New York Jets.
• Levis expressed gratitude for his time in Nashville, stating he would not trade his experience there for anything.

Background

Will Levis was drafted by the Titans in 2023 and started as a rookie, showing promise with a four-touchdown debut. However, his 2024 season was marked by poor performance and injuries, leading to his benching. The 2025 season was missed due to shoulder surgery, and the Titans selected Cam Ward as their new starting quarterback in the 2025 draft. Levis's departure marks the end of his time with the Titans, who have undergone significant coaching and front-office changes during his tenure.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports emphasizes Levis's potential as a backup or rehabilitation project, highlighting his arm talent and the connections he has with coaches like Liam Coen. NFL.com focuses on the statistical decline and injuries that led to his waiver, noting his 13 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 41 sacks in 2024. ProFootballRumors provides a comprehensive list of the Titans' roster cuts, confirming Levis's waiver and noting the impact on other players like Hendon Hooker. All sources agree that Levis's time with the Titans is over, but they differ in their assessment of his future prospects, with CBS Sports being more optimistic about his potential in other systems.

Why it matters

Levis's waiver signals the Titans' full commitment to Cam Ward as their future quarterback. It also highlights the challenges of developing young quarterbacks in the NFL, as Levis's struggles with decision-making and injuries led to his release. The move may create opportunities for other teams looking to upgrade their quarterback depth or find a project player with elite physical tools.

What to watch

Levis will be eligible for other NFL teams, with potential landing spots including the Jaguars, Buccaneers, Packers, and Jets. The Titans will focus on developing Cam Ward as their starting quarterback, while Levis will need to find a new team to continue his NFL career. The outcome of Levis's waiver will depend on whether any team claims him or if he is placed on a practice squad.