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Tennessee Titans Cut Ties With Robert Woods and Taylor Lewan

Tennessee Titans Cut Ties With Robert Woods and Taylor Lewan

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News about Tennessee Titans Robert Woods and Taylor Lewan

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans parted ways with two longtime NFL veterans: tackle Taylor Lewan and wide receiver Robert Woods.

The Titans made four moves to free up cap space today. At the start of the day, they were about $25 million over the salary cap.

Lewan Released

On Wednesday, the Titans made a cost-cutting move and released left tackle Taylor Lewan. A three-time Pro Bowler, Lewan was an iconic figure within their organization; he started 106 games during his nine years with the squad and guided them to four playoff appearances.

Lewan has had an illustrious career, yet has suffered from injuries and off-field issues. In 2020 he missed 11 games due to a torn ACL, was suspended the first four games of 2021 for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, and then missed 15 games in 2022 when another ACL tear occurred during Week 2.

By cutting him, the Titans save $14.8 million and avoid dead money, leaving them with $600,000 in cap space - great news for a team that was $25 million over its salary cap at the start of the day.

It's no secret that Lewan struggles with whether or not to continue his football career. Despite having earned enough money and making significant achievements on the field, his body simply cannot keep up with all of football's demands anymore.

He's living his best life, co-hosting the popular podcast "Bussin with the Boys" with his good friend Will Compton. They've been interviewing celebrities on the show all week and having a blast doing it!

Once the podcast is over, he's back home in Phoenix enjoying the Super Bowl with family and friends. It appears as if he's savoring every moment even though there's part of him that wants to give up.

Could this be a sign that Lewan has retired from football or simply that he no longer desires to be on camera. Either way, it's nice to see him enjoying some downtime after nearly a decade in the league.

The Titans are searching for a new starting left tackle and already have several potential candidates, such as Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. and Georgia's Broderick Jones; however, they could select another player during this year's NFL Draft. A strong offensive line will be essential in helping their young quarterback Ryan Tannehill excel in the future.

Woods Released

On Wednesday, the Titans released veteran wide receiver Robert Woods after acquiring him through a trade with the Los Angeles Rams last March. One year after joining them in that deal, Woods had caught 53 passes for 527 yards and scored two touchdowns during 17 games with the Titans.

Woods' release leaves Tennessee without a reliable receiver at the position, as well as freeing up more than $12 million in cap space for the team.

Woods signed a three-year deal worth $5.5 million in 2022, but only caught 53 of 91 targets for 527 yards and two touchdowns during his rookie season with the Titans. Despite these disappointing numbers, Woods remains an intriguing player who could draw interest from numerous teams in 2023, such as Baltimore Ravens or Dallas Cowboys.

The Titans have a promising young receiver in Treylon Burks, but they still need more depth at wideout. There are numerous free agents available and hopefully one or more suitable players can supplement Burks in 2023.

Woods was instrumental in the Titans' transition to a zone-based offense similar to what Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has employed since taking over the franchise in 2019. It's possible Woods would fit perfectly in Atlanta's offense and see plenty of playing time next season, especially if quarterback Matt Ryan stays healthy.

It's also possible that he could join the Cardinals in 2023, providing much-needed depth to General Manager Monti Ossenfort's receiver room. Arizona currently has Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore at wideout, but more depth would be beneficial for their success.

As previously noted, the Titans had around $25 million in cap space before this move was made, so they should be able to free up that sum once all transactions are finalized. Bullock's reported departure on Wednesday saved them about $2.1 million while Lewan and Woods each took a salary cap hit of their own.

Bullock Released

On Wednesday, the Titans released three veteran players to free up cap space. Offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, wide receiver Robert Woods and kicker Randy Bullock each had their respective salary-cap hits of $14.8 million, $12 million and $2 million removed from 2023 according to Spotrac - saving the Titans an estimated $12 million over two seasons.

Bullock joined the Titans in 2021 and served as their starting kicker for two seasons, making 17-of-20 field goals last season and going 28-for-28 on extra points. Additionally, he handled kickoff duties, with touchbacks on 81 of his 145 kickoffs.

Bullock made 85% of his field goal attempts in 2021, though he wasn't a regular contributor to the Titans' offense. However, he helped stabilize the kicker spot after Stephen Gostkowski's departure and will likely find another home elsewhere.

At 33 years old, he's expected to find work elsewhere soon. For six NFL teams, he has been a staple at the top of their kicker depth chart and has converted 83.4% of his field goal attempts.

The Titans have some extra cap space with the release of Bullock as they strive to build a team around quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is due another $42 million extension. If they decide to add more draft capital in free agency, however, they could potentially look for an ideal replacement at kicker.

This year, the Titans have already cut four veterans and are likely to make more cuts soon. Furthermore, they still have plenty of cap room for contract restructures or extensions in the future.

Lewan’s Podcast

The Titans are gearing up for a new season and making some changes to save salary cap space. That includes parting ways with two veteran players: left tackle Taylor Lewan and wide receiver Robert Woods.

Jordan Schultz of ESPN reports that the Titans informed Lewan on Wednesday he will be released, and his Twitter account added a personal message to his fans. This move is an immense blow for one of their most renowned offensive linemen who was an integral part of their offense since 2014 and helped pave the way for tenacious running back Derrick Henry.

Over the course of nine years, Lewan has earned himself a place among the NFL's top tackles and an inspirational leader in Nashville. Drafted No. 11 overall in 2014, he has been an integral part of the Titans' offensive line for nearly all his professional life.

He hasn't been 100 percent healthy the past four seasons, but he remains one of the premier left tackles in the league and capable of starting games at any position on the field. That could be one reason why teams like Pittsburgh Steelers may want to try and secure him before his free agency begins in March 2023.

Woods' release will save the Titans approximately $12 million in cap space and eliminate some dead money as well. They had been $23 million over cap when they began the day, so these changes reduced that figure by half.

It appears likely that both of those cuts will leave the Titans with enough cap space to sign at least one new player. They must decide whether to add another receiver through the draft or trade for another veteran.

That's where "Bussin' With the Boys" podcast comes in. Hosted by Titans tackle Taylor Lewan and former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Will Compton, this football-focused show has quickly risen to the top of iTunes rankings. They have an uncanny ability to balance serious topics with lighthearted banter - no wonder why this podcast has seen such success!

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