The Tennessee Titans are set to have more than $100 million in cap space to spend this offseason. That's before GM Mike Borgonzi creates more space by releasing underperforming veterans.
While the Titans won't get rid of a good player to clear up space, it shouldn't surprise anyone if they try to get out of as many questionable contracts as they can. Borgonzi will possess the cap space required to maneuver around any dead cap hits.
A few big names have been floated out there as potential cuts for the Titans after the season. Names like Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, and L'Jarius Sneed all make a lot of sense. In fact, just by cutting those three players, the Titans' cap space would go from roughly $109 million to $142 million.
However, there is another veteran who is starting to look a lot more expendable after the last few weeks, and that is center Lloyd Cushenberry.
All signs indicate the Titans could cut C Lloyd Cushenberry this offseason
Cushenberry was dealt a tough hand when he signed with the Titans. Before he could even get his feet under him, he tore his Achilles tendon. That injury cost him half of the 2024 season and nearly all of training camp in 2025.
Just as Cushenberry was starting to round back into form, he suffered a foot injury a few weeks ago that has once again sidelined him.
Long-time plug-and-play interior lineman Corey Levin stepped in for him over the last two weeks, and in that time, the running game has been better than it has all season. Furthermore, Levin has yet to give up a pressure in pass protection.
There is an argument to be made that Levin should be the team's starting center going forward, whether Cushenberry is hurt or not. That is not a debate you want to have when you're talking about a center you paid $50 million over four years versus a center you paid $1.2 million.
This isn't just speculation coming from outside of the building. On Tuesday, OC Nick Holz was noncommittal about whether Cushenberry would get the starting job back when he is fully healthy.
Nick Holz said when Lloyd Cushenberry is fully healthy he is probably back in the lineup. But has heaped praise on Corey Levin, says they have two quality centers. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 9, 2025
There was some foreshadowing for this as well. In a blink-and-you-will-miss-it response from Jim Wyatt in his mailbag a week ago, he was asked about the embarrassing state of the Titans after their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He mentioned that the team might be gearing up to replace multiple starters on the offensive line, and with J.C. Latham, Peter Skoronski, and Dan Moore locked into their position through at least 2026, that can only mean that Cushenberry is potentially on the chopping block.
"Embarrassing works, Joe, we don't have to search further. And while neither of those guys has lived up to expectations, I have to give the nod to Latham, because I was expecting him to be coming into his own about now. And that clearly isn't unfolding. He's too talented to have so many lapses, but I still think he has what it takes to be a solid player. And I think some of the criticism surrounding him has been overblown. But he's going to have to lock in and prove it, next week, and next year. As for the o-line group next year, I suspect three of the five will be back."
It certainly seems like the front office has a plan in mind for the future, and Cushenberry may not be in those plans. However, it isn't about who the team cuts; it is about who they replace them with, and GM Mike Borgonzi seems like he may believe he can improve the center spot.