LT Taylor Lewan open to a return, even if cut by the Titans
The future of Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan is still very much up in the air. Lewan missed a majority of the 2022 season with another ACL surgery and has missed a total of 30 games over the last three seasons. With one year left on his contract, the three-time Pro Bowler anticipates being […]
The future of Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan is still very much up in the air.
Lewan missed a majority of the 2022 season with another ACL surgery and has missed a total of 30 games over the last three seasons. With one year left on his contract, the three-time Pro Bowler anticipates being cut by the team in the coming weeks. The Titans would save almost $15 million against the cap by cutting Lewan this spring.
“In the next couple of weeks, I will be cut by the Tennessee Titans — that will happen,”Lewan said in and interview with Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. “I truly believe that in my heart of hearts. Then I have to go into a situation that I’ve never been in in my entire life: I have to weigh the pros and cons of playing football, or not playing football.”
Lewan has a lot going for him outside of his playing career. He has a wife and two daughters at home in Nashville. He has a podcast with former teammate Will Compton, Bussin' With The Boys, that has grown exponentially in recent years and will only continue to take off, especially once Lewan and Compton are both done with their playing careers.
If Lewan does decide he has more football left in him, it seems like a return to the Titans can not be completely ruled out.
"If I was going to play another year, my preferred spot would be where I've been for the last nine years. I'm a loyal guy, and it would feel very uncomfortable for me to wear a different uniform," Lewan told Wyatt.
Lewan believes this offseason will consist of many transparent conversations between himself and the organization. He has a strong and honest relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel, and should the Titans come calling with hopes of bringing Lewan back at a discounted rate, Lewan believes there will be a genuine conversation about his knee and his motivation to continue playing.
The Titans can't keep him at $15 million in 2023, but Tennessee should absolutely look to bring Lewan back on a cheaper, team-friendly contract. This team needs all the help they can get on the offensive line, and a veteran like Lewan that's familiar with the staff and schemes has a lot of value. If he's open to returning for less money, it's feasible that Tennessee could draft an offensive lineman, invest some money in the free agent market, and bring back Lewan with some insurance behind him at left tackle.
If football is not in the cards for Lewan in 2023, so be it. But if he's open to an affordable return, the Titans have every reason to make it happen.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
