6:23PM: Details have come in on Cushenberry’s new deal, thanks to Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus. Cushenberry heads to Tennessee where he will earn $50MM over four years. The contract includes $26MM fully guaranteed at signing and an additional $4MM for $30MM of total guarantees. His four-year average of $12.5MM per year ranks third among NFL centers, and the $30MM of cash flow over the first two seasons of the deal is the most ever for the position.
12:37PM: Another notable offensive addition is set to be made by Tennessee. The Titans plan to add center Lloyd Cushenberry, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.
As the Broncos navigate cap trouble following the Russell Wilson debacle, they were not expected to retain Cushenberry, who had been their starting center for four seasons. The former third-round pick became a contract-year breakout, performing well as a pass protector in 2023.
Moving on from longtime starters Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones and Nate Davis, the Titans attempted to fill out their O-line with midlevel contracts in 2023. Jones had started at center for seven seasons in Tennessee; the Titans shifted Aaron Brewer into the pivot role to replace him. Although Pro Football Focus graded Brewer as the No. 11 overall center last season, the team will spend to make a hopeful upgrade.
ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric slotted Cushenberry 11th among interior O-linemen last season. The Broncos had not seen the LSU alum fortify their center spot in previous years, though he did display durability. Cushenberry, 26, did not come off the field during the 2020 and ’21 seasons. After a groin injury sidelined him for half the 2022 slate, he returned to start 17 games for the Broncos last season.
Tennessee came into free agency with no notable payments along its offensive line, potentially pointing to another move coming for a team in the top five in cap space. The Titans view guard as Peter Skoronski‘s best position, and Daniel Brunskill is signed for the 2024 season. This points to Tennessee’s other O-line moves coming at tackle, where injuries ransacked the team last year. The Titans are moving on from attempted LT solution Andre Dillard, whom they benched last season.
Well, There goes my wish list in a half hour.
Yep, Greenland and Cush off the board. Not the best start to FA
Well at that price I’m glad Poles said no thanks. The Bears being quiet makes me both nervous and glad as it could mean they’re making a big play for Hunter. They’ve let most of the lower priced FA Edge players go elsewhere. A C and Hunter and they can get the rest in the draft. The guy from the Raiders is still out there.
This isn’t a highlight reel move to most people, but I think that this fills a huge need for Tennessee. Excellent signing, and with Bill Callahan coaching, Cushenberry should improve on an area of need for the Titans heavily. Noticeable, but unfortunately expected loss for Denver here.