Will Levis Cut by Titans: 7 Biggest NFL Roster Moves After Final Cuts

The Tennessee Titans have released quarterback Will Levis as NFL teams completed one of the most dramatic roster cutdowns of the offseason.

More than 1,100 players were released or waived as franchises reduced their rosters from 90 players to the required 53-man limit ahead of the regular season.

Levis' departure is among the biggest surprises. The former second-round pick started 21 games for Tennessee after being selected in 2023 but ultimately found himself behind rookie Cam Ward and veteran Mitch Trubisky on the depth chart.

The quarterback went 5-16 as a starter across his two seasons with the Titans and missed the entire 2025 campaign following shoulder surgery.

Why Did Tennessee Move on From Will Levis?

Levis entered the final preseason game knowing his position on the Titans' roster was under serious scrutiny.

He completed 14 of 22 passes for 143 yards against the Chicago Bears in Tennessee's 24-15 defeat, showing enough flashes to keep his NFL future intriguing.

Titans head coach Robert Saleh had also praised Levis' performance after the game.

“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.”

Despite that encouragement, Tennessee ultimately decided there was not enough room for Levis behind Ward and Trubisky.

The decision leaves the 26-year-old searching for another opportunity and potentially a chance to compete for a backup job elsewhere.

Levis Still Believes He Can Start in the NFL

Levis has made it clear that being released by Tennessee has not changed his belief that he can become a starting quarterback.

After his preseason appearance against Chicago, the former Kentucky star insisted that confidence remains essential for any NFL quarterback.

“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.”

His combination of starting experience, age and draft pedigree should make him an interesting name on the market.

Odell Beckham Jr. Gets Another Chance With Giants

While Levis was among the notable names cut, Odell Beckham Jr. went in the opposite direction.

The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver made the New York Giants' 53-man roster, earning another opportunity with the team where his NFL career began.

Beckham missed the entire 2025 season and has not played for the Giants since 2018.

His return gives New York an experienced veteran who already has a history with the organization and its fanbase.

The move also marks another chapter in one of the most recognizable NFL careers of the past decade.

J.J. McCarthy and Anthony Richardson Survive the Cut

Several other high-profile quarterbacks also faced uncertainty during roster cutdown weekend.

The Minnesota Vikings kept J.J. McCarthy, their 2024 first-round selection, while the Indianapolis Colts retained Anthony Richardson, who was selected fourth overall in 2023.

Both quarterbacks had been viewed as players whose roster situations could become complicated, but both remain with their respective teams heading into the regular season.

The Cleveland Browns also retained four quarterbacks after placing Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve with a back injury.

Shedeur Sanders will serve as Deshaun Watson's backup, while rookie Taylen Green sits third on the depth chart. Gabriel, who started six games as a rookie last season, can return in Week 5.

Atlanta also kept four quarterbacks: Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., Cooper Rush and Jack Strand.

Late Trades Reshape Several Rosters

The roster deadline also produced a flurry of trades as teams attempted to address weaknesses before the regular season.

Among the players changing teams were offensive tackle Broderick Jones, quarterback Quinn Ewers and defensive lineman CJ Okoye.

The Miami Dolphins, who had traded Ewers to Jacksonville, subsequently acquired quarterback Kyle McCord from Green Bay for a 2028 sixth-round pick.

McCord had thrown four touchdown passes against Arizona in the Packers' 42-38 preseason win, but Green Bay had already added veteran Tyrod Taylor behind Jordan Love.

Other notable trades included:

• Hunter Long and a 2028 seventh-round pick to Arizona from Jacksonville for a 2028 sixth-rounder.
• Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Indianapolis from Buffalo for a 2027 sixth-rounder.
• Gervon Dexter from Chicago to Atlanta in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick and Clark Phillips III.
• Jarrett Patterson from Houston to San Francisco for a 2027 seventh-round pick.
• Mark Redman from the Rams to Green Bay for a 2028 seventh-round pick.
• Walter Rouse and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Minnesota to New England for a 2027 sixth-round selection.
• Nate Thomas from Dallas to Houston for a late-round 2027 pick.

The moves underline how aggressively teams were working the market before finalizing their regular-season rosters.

Other Notable Cuts

Several experienced players also found themselves without roster spots.

The New Orleans Saints released Northern Irish kicker Charlie Smyth and also cut Tanner Brown, leaving veteran Daniel Carlson as their kicker.

The Buffalo Bills released veteran safety Geno Stone, while the Chicago Bears moved on from defensive lineman Marcus Davenport, who has recorded 25 career sacks.

Dallas also released edge rusher Sam Williams and former Texas running back Jaydon Blue.

The Arizona Cardinals cut linebacker BJ Ojulari, along with veteran cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas V.

What Comes Next?

With the 53-man deadline now complete, the next stage of roster building begins.

Players such as Levis will enter the waiver process depending on their service time, while teams will scour available players for depth and potential upgrades.

For the former Titans quarterback, the immediate priority is finding another NFL home. His starting experience and belief that he can still develop into a starter could make him one of the more intriguing quarterbacks available after roster cutdown.

For Beckham, meanwhile, the story is very different: the veteran has earned another opportunity to continue his NFL career where it all began.