Once viewed as a franchise cornerstone, Levis departs after starting 21 games, missing the entire 2025 season following shoulder surgery, and falling behind Cam Ward and Mitch Trubisky on the roster.
The Tennessee Titans waived quarterback Will Levis as part of their final roster cutdowns to reach the NFL-mandated 53-player limit before the September deadline. His time in Nashville ultimately unraveled due to a combination of injuries, coaching turnover, and inconsistent play that led to his benching and the subsequent drafting of Cam Ward as the first overall pick in 2025.
Coaching Turnover and Injury Struggles in Nashville
Levis experienced relentless organizational churn during his tenure with the Titans. Drafted under general manager Ran Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel, he played under multiple coaches and executives, including Brian Callahan and Robert Saleh, who took over as head coach for the 2026 season. According to league reporting and analysis, Saleh became Levis’ third permanent head coach, with interim stints and executive shuffles further complicating his development.
As a rookie, Levis missed time with an ankle injury before suffering an AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder during the 2024 campaign. That same shoulder required surgery in the summer of 2025, which sidelined him for the entire year and paved the way for the team to transition toward a new era under center.
Preseason Exit and Coach Reactions Following the Cut
In his final appearance wearing a Titans uniform during the preseason finale against the Chicago Bears, Levis completed 14 of 22 passes for 143 yards in a 24-15 defeat. Following the game, Titans coach Robert Saleh offered praise for the outgoing quarterback’s performance and time in the facility.
“I think he’s been awesome,” Titans coach Robert Saleh said of Levis following Saturday’s game. “I thought he did a really nice job today. I thought he had a really good two-minute drive at the end of the half. Very good awareness with the time.”
Robert Saleh, Tennessee Titans Head Coach
Despite the waiver, Levis expressed strong belief in his ability to continue playing at a high level in the professional ranks. Speaking with the media after the preseason contest, he reflected on the perspective gained during his rehabilitation periods.
“I feel like you’ve got to have that confidence in yourself regardless of your position,” Levis said after going 14 for 22 for 143 yards against the Bears in a 24-15 loss to close out the preseason. “I saw a quote, I forget who it was, but it’s, ‘Everyone in the league here is a starter.’ You’ve got to have that mentality. You could be in at the press of a button and just be ready to play. That’s one thing that I feel like I gained a lot in my time away, is gaining back some of the confidence that I lost throughout the last year that I played and I’m going to maintain that mindset the rest of my career.”
Will Levis, NFL Quarterback
Memorable Moments and Social Media Legacy in Tennessee
Beyond his play on the field, Levis departs Nashville having generated an outsized footprint in NFL internet culture. Before he even took a snap in the league, his unconventional preference for putting mayonnaise in his coffee went viral, eventually translating into a commercial partnership with Hellmann’s. During games, broadcast cameras frequently captured him in high-emotion situations, including a widely circulated sideline grimace following a shoulder injury and an unforgettable surrender cobra reaction after an interception against the Houston Texans. Those moments, paired with his high-effort hustle plays and an emphatic Spider-Man touchdown celebration, made him one of the league’s most widely discussed figures on social media platforms.
What Lies Ahead for Levis on the Waiver Wire
Throughout the offseason, Levis maintained publicly that there were not 32 quarterbacks in the league better than him. With starting experience under his belt from his 21 appearances—during which he compiled a 5-16 record—his powerful throwing arm could attract a quarterback-needy franchise looking for a developmental project under a veteran coaching staff.
