Taylor Lewan: Titans Releases Three-Time Pro Bowl LT

The Tennessee Titans announced on February 23, 2023, that they have released three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan. The decision was made as part of the team’s efforts to restructure its salary cap and address its needs in the upcoming NFL draft.

TITANS RELEASE THREE-TIME PRO BOWL LT TAYLOR LEWAN

BACKGROUND ON TAYLOR LEWAN

Lewan was nominated by the Titans in the first round (11th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft. He quickly recognized himself as individual of the league’s top left tackles, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2016, 2017, and 2018. However, his performance has been inconsistent in recent years, and injuries have also been a concern.

Lewan’s contract with the Titans was set to pay him a base income of $13.6 million in 2023, with a cap hit of $16.2 million. By releasing him, the team will save $9.8 million against the salary cap.

TITANS’ SALARY CAP RESTRUCTURING

The Titans have been facing a tight salary cap situation in recent years, and they have had to make some tough decisions to free up space. Last offseason, they released veteran cornerback Malcolm Butler and defensive lineman DaQuan Jones to create additional cap room.

This offseason, the team is expected to have around $25 million in cap space. But they also have several key free agents to re-sign, including wide receiver A.J. Brown, safety Kevin Byard, and tight end Anthony Firkser. Releasing Lewan will give the Titans more flexibility to address their needs in free agency and the draft.

IMPACT ON THE TITANS’ OFFENSIVE LINE

Lewan’s release will have a significant impact on the Titans’ offensive line. He has been the team’s preliminary left tackle for the past eight seasons. Also has played a crucial role in protecting quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s blindside.

With Lewan gone, the Titans will need to find a replacement at left tackle. They could look to free agency or the draft to fill the void. But it won’t be easy to find a player of Lewan’s caliber. The team may also consider moving right tackle David Quessenberry to the left side or shifting someone else on the line to fill the gap.

FUTURE OF TAYLOR LEWAN

Despite his release, Lewan is still a talented player who is likely to attract interest from other teams. He is only 31 years old and has plenty of football left in him. However, his recent performance and injury history could make teams hesitant to offer him a big contract.

Lewan has also been dealing with off-field issues in recent years. In 2020, he was put off for the first four games of the season for disrespectful the league’s policy on performance-enhancing medicines. He also got into a verbal altercation with head coach Mike Vrabel during a game last season.

CONCLUSION

The Tennessee Titans’ decision to release three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan is a significant move that will have a ripple result on the team’s offensive line and overall strategy. The team is facing a tight salary cap situation and needs to free up space to address its needs in free agency and the draft. While Lewan is a talented player, his inconsistent performance and injury history likely played a role in the decision to release him. It remains to be seen where he will land next. But he is sure to draw interest from other teams in need of a left tackle.

For more latest news, Click here.