Titans waive Will Levis, cementing Cam Ward era — and creating a messy QB market

Levis’s tenure in Tennessee was marked by fleeting highs and recurring setbacks. He flashed elite arm strength early in his career, including a four-touchdown debut, but decision-making, turnovers and injuries — most notably a right-shoulder surgery that cost him the 2025 season — limited his production. Coaching and front-office turnover in Nashville also reduced continuity around his development.

Heading into roster cutdown weekend Levis had been pushed down the depth chart. The Titans opted to consolidate their quarterback room around Ward as the clear developmental priority and bring in Trubisky as a veteran, experience-focused backup.

Levis’s combination of arm talent and starting experience should attract some interest, but the market will balance upside against medical red flags and consistency concerns. Because he was waived, other teams have 24 hours to claim him and assume his contract. If he clears waivers, Levis could sign to a practice squad, join a team in need of a high-upside backup, or draw interest as a low-cost makeover project for a QB coach who specializes in mechanics.

Given that reports indicate there wasn’t a willing trade partner before the cut, his most realistic near-term options are a waiver claim by a team needing depth, a practice-squad signing, or the fringe free-agent market.

This is a clear roster signal: the Titans are committing their developmental resources to Cam Ward and prefer stability behind him. Cutting Levis removes an internal comparison storyline and gives Tennessee clearer evaluation space for Ward’s second season. It also lowers the short-term churn risk at quarterback — Tennessee now owns a more traditional starter-backup pairing entering Week 1.