Titans Cut Cushenberry and Woods, Opening New Chapter for Cam Ward’s Offense

For Cushenberry, the release closes a difficult chapter in Tennessee. The 28-year-old signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the Titans in the 2024 offseason, a contract that was widely praised at the time as a savvy signing to anchor the offensive line. That optimism never fully materialized.

An Expensive Gamble That Did Not Pay Off

Cushenberry’s tenure in Tennessee was defined more by injury and inconsistency than the stability the Titans were hoping to buy. A torn Achilles tendon in the eighth game of the 2024 season derailed his first year before it ever got going. He returned in 2025 and played in 15 of a possible 17 games, but never quite looked like the player who commanded that kind of money. In total, he appeared in just 23 games across two seasons as a Titan.

With two years and roughly $8 million still owed in 2026, the Titans chose to absorb the financial hit rather than continue forward. The failed physical designation adds another layer of uncertainty. The exact nature of his physical failure has not been disclosed, but it suggests Cushenberry’s body may have simply not held up to the demands of the position after the Achilles injury.

It is a disappointing end to what should have been a cornerstone signing. Cushenberry, a third-round pick by Denver in 2020, spent four seasons with the Broncos and arrived in Tennessee with a reputation as a capable, reliable starter. The Titans believed they were getting exactly that. Instead, the deal joins a short list of free agent signings the organization will want to forget.

The Bigger Picture: Cam Ward Needs a New Center

The timing of this move matters. Cam Ward, the Titans’ franchise quarterback, is heading into just his second NFL season. Finding the right pieces to protect him is not a secondary concern. It is a priority.

Ward showed genuine growth down the stretch of the 2025 season, and the offensive line played a real role in that improvement. Right guard Kevin Zeitler, who turns 36 in March, was one of the better pass-protecting guards in the league last season. His future in Tennessee remains a question, but the loss of Cushenberry at center creates an immediate and pressing need up front.

The Titans carry more than $100 million in cap space heading into free agency, giving general manager Mike Borgonzi plenty of resources to address the position. Whether that means signing a veteran free agent or drafting a center with one of their early picks remains to be seen. But whoever lines up at the pivot next season will be critical to Ward’s continued development.

Xavier Woods: A Quiet Exit

The release of safety Xavier Woods drew less attention but was equally unsurprising. Woods, 30, signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Titans before the 2025 season. He played in 11 games with 10 starts, recording two interceptions and a sack before a hamstring injury cut his season short.

Woods has played in 134 career games across stops with the Cowboys, Vikings, Panthers and Titans. He is a veteran who has seen plenty in this league, but his time in Nashville never quite clicked. The Titans are simply moving on, and at his age and with his injury history, it is hard to fault the decision.

More Moves Coming

Neither of these releases will be the last. L’Jarius Sneed is widely expected to be cut, and the future of wide receiver Calvin Ridley hangs in the balance. The Titans are in the middle of a rebuild, and with new head coach Robert Saleh taking the reins, the roster is being evaluated from top to bottom.

The Cushenberry and Woods moves are just the beginning. For a franchise still trying to build the right environment for Cam Ward to grow into a franchise quarterback, every decision this offseason carries real weight. Wednesday’s moves made one thing clear: Mike Borgonzi is not going to let sentiment or sunk costs stand in the way of building the best possible team.