Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

'Moving On': Tennessee Titans Deliver Bad News for $50 Million Starter

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Jackson Loschko | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 8:13 PM ET

Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Lloyd Cushenberry III has struggled to stay healthy in each of his two seasons with the team, missing 11 games. He missed the final nine games of 2024 with a torn Achilles, passed his physical in August 2025, and was cleared to play before missing two games with a foot injury and later undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Cushenberry allowed 25 pressures, 15 hurries, four quarterback hits, and six sacks in 15 starts, posting a 65.5 pass-blocking grade, a 51.2 run-blocking grade, and a 55.2 PFF grade.

The Tennessee Titans have a big decision to make this offseason

The Titans have a big decision to make regarding Lloyd Cushenberry because of his roster bonus, large cap hit, and they could instead upgrade the center position in free agency or the draft, given his recent injury history. He is scheduled to earn a $6.49 millon base salary, a $1 million roster bonus due March 15, a per-game bonus totaling $510,000, $8 million in cash, and a $12.525 million cap charge, the fifth-highest at the position in 2026. Cushenberry will also earn a $10.49 million base salary, a $1 million roster bonus, a per-game bonus totaling $510,000, $12 million in cash, and a $16.525 million cap hit in 2027.

Titans deliver bad news for $50 million starter

Tennessee Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry III (79) waits out a timeout against the Green Bay Packers during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

According to Ian Rapoport, the Titans have released Lloyd Cushenberry with a failed physical designation and as a pre-June 1st cut. As a result, the front office frees $3.475 million in cap space while taking on $9.05 million in dead cap. The team also eliminates the $16.525 million cap charge in 2027, freeing that amount.

The #Titans are releasing starting center Lloyd Cushenberry, sources say, moving on from a former big-ticket free agent from 2024.

He signed a 4-year, $50M deal two years ago and was due $8M this season. Now, Cam Ward will have a new center. pic.twitter.com/9XUm9stCkq

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2026