The Titans are following through with their expected Taylor Lewan release. After nine seasons in Tennessee, the Pro Bowl left tackle announced (via his Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, on Twitter) he is set to be a free agent.
Although Lewan initially indicated a pay cut could be a path for him to stay with the Titans, it looks like the sides are parting ways. Lewan said he would consider retirement this offseason. It is not yet known if the three-time Pro Bowler plans to play a 10th season, but the Titans will create another need along their offensive line with Wednesday’s transaction.
[RELATED: Titans To Cut WR Robert Woods]
The prospect of that above-referenced return at a reduced rate remains under consideration, according to veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky (on Twitter), but the team has a few moving pieces up front at present. For now, this release will create significant cap savings.
No guarantees remained on Lewan’s contract; the release will shed $14.8MM from Tennessee’s payroll. While the 31-year-old blocker had been one of the game’s best left tackles, injuries have sidelined him for much of the past few seasons. Lewan has missed 30 games since the 2020 campaign.
Lewan signed a five-year, $80MM extension with the Titans back in 2018. He stood as the premier player on an O-line that helped Derrick Henry to the rushing title in 2019. Lewan was unable to play a significant role during Henry’s second rushing championship, tearing an ACL five games into the 2020 season, but he did re-emerge to assist the injury-battered Titans to the AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2021. Lingering knee trouble affected him that year, however, and another ACL tear sidelined the Michigan product in Week 2 of the 2022 season.
The Titans drafted Lewan 11th overall, selecting him during Ruston Webster’s GM tenure. Jon Robinson authorized the extension; new Tennessee GM Ran Carthon is signing off on the release. Although Lewan sits just outside the top 10 in franchise history for games started by an offensive lineman, his 100 starts are sixth in the Titans era. Only Michael Roos, Benji Olson, David Stewart, Ben Jones and Brad Hopkins have logged more starts with Tennessee among O-linemen. Lewan was the current Titans’ longest-tenured player.
Tennessee already has right guard Nate Davis on the cusp of free agency, and Jones is considering retirement after finishing the season on IR. The veteran center is signed through 2023, however. Tennessee cut Rodger Saffold last year and replaced him primarily with former UDFA Aaron Brewer, who can be retained as a restricted free agent. Nicholas Petit-Frere, a 2022 third-round pick, may be penciled in at right tackle, but Carthon and Co. will have plenty of work to do to assemble a line around him. Thanks to the Lewan and Woods moves, additional cap space will now be available to do so.
He would make there All Time team
Might depend on if those teams include the Oilers era or not, I’m honestly not sure how they do it… if Titans only, I think you’re right.
I was counting the Oilers. I am assuming it would have 10 O line members btw
I miss Bum Phillips and that rivalry the Oilers and Steelers had.
As a Steeler fan, I always liked Bum and always respected his tough and talented teams. Jerry Glanville, not so much.
Alongside Bruce Matthews and Mike Munchak? Sure.
Over either guy? No freakin’ way.
At this point in their careers Woods and Lewan are better names than players. Cunningham is the guy the Bears should get. There are better players than the other 2 in FA. If Poles is smart, And I think he is, He’ll save some of his money for final cutdown in the Fall. You can get some bargains there if you have money.
Matthews could play all 5
robert woods next?
*Ed McMahon voice*
“You are correct, sir!”
He’ll be a great addition on the Steelers’ line
If he doesn’t get hurt again
Or retire.
I like that he said somewhere that he’d “consider a $10m offer” to play here
Must be nice
The Steelers tackles are well below league average (that’s being nice) and winning nine games put them out of drafting the likes of Johnson or Skoronski. Lewan would be their starting LT the moment he signed. I tend to agree with the corn whisperer.
No thanks. Two years and a couple injuries ago, sure. I’d rather they target someone like McGlinchey is they’re going for a vet.
sure but Lewan is more in their price range
Coming off an ACL and talking about retiring.. No thanks. He’s one big red flag.
How dare he not make his intentions for 2023 known the day after the season ended!
The last 5-6 years the Titans have been extremely overrated. That 1 seed last year was laughable, and they really aren’t a strong organization. A RB can’t hide bad QB’s forever…
Looks like the Titans are getting ready to tank this upcoming season in order to get set up for the expected 2024 QB draft bonanza. You’ll next see them trade some people they can get some mid-level picks for and then sign someone washout like Andy Dalton or Teddy Bridgewater to drive the bus into the crevasse.