The Tennessee Titans made one of the NFL’s most surprising roster decisions by moving on from Will Levis before the 2026 season. The quarterback’s release stood out among the league’s final cuts because of his draft pedigree, starting experience and the expectation that he could still compete for a role in Tennessee’s future.
Levis entered the NFL as a second-round pick with considerable expectations after a productive college career and the physical traits teams covet at quarterback. His powerful arm and willingness to attack defenses gave him an intriguing ceiling, but his development never produced the consistency Tennessee needed. Turnovers, questionable decisions and uneven performances ultimately made it difficult for him to secure the long-term starting job.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) throws the ball during minicamp practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
The decision to release Levis became particularly notable because teams often remain patient with young quarterbacks drafted in the early rounds. Tennessee had invested significant resources and development time into the former Kentucky star, giving him opportunities to establish himself as the franchise’s answer under center. Instead, the organization determined its roster was better positioned to move forward without him.
Levis showed flashes of the talent that made him an attractive prospect, particularly when his arm strength allowed him to make throws that few quarterbacks could attempt. However, the same aggressive style that produced explosive plays also contributed to mistakes that repeatedly stalled drives. His tendency to force passes and take unnecessary risks became a central concern as the Titans evaluated his progress.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) throws during mandatory Titans Minicamp at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Levis being let go has named the most surprising roster cut before the new NFL seasonl. This is detailed more in an analysis by Carter Bahns for CBS Sports.
It is an unceremonious end to the Will Levis experiment in Tennessee. Just three years ago, Levis arrived as the No. 33 overall pick and the Titans’ potential franchise quarterback. As recently as 2024, he was the unquestioned starter when healthy. He has not played since then, though, and not only did he lose his role as the face of the offense to Cam Ward, but he also slipped behind two others on the depth chart. The Titans kept Mitchell Trubisky and Hendon Hooker as their backups instead of Levis, which goes to show how far he has fallen in less than two years.
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It is an unceremonious end to the Will Levis experiment in Tennessee. Just three years ago, Levis arrived as the No. 33 overall pick and the Titans’ potential franchise quarterback. As recently as 2024, he was the unquestioned starter when healthy. He has not played since then, though, and not only did he lose his role as the face of the offense to Cam Ward, but he also slipped behind two others on the depth chart. The Titans kept Mitchell Trubisky and Hendon Hooker as their backups instead of Levis, which goes to show how far he has fallen in less than two years.
The move does not necessarily mark the end of Levis’ NFL career. His age, physical tools and previous starting experience could make him an appealing option for another organization looking to develop a quarterback or add depth to its roster. A change of scenery could also provide an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and refine the decision-making that limited his success in Tennessee.
For the Titans, however, the release represents a clear turning point at quarterback. What became one of the league’s most surprising roster cuts also underscored the difficult reality of the NFL, where potential and pedigree eventually give way to production, and Tennessee decided Levis had not done enough to remain part of its plans.
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