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The NFL's mandatory cut-down to a 53-man roster resulted in more than 1,100 players losing their jobs on Sunday, but few moves resonated as strongly as the Tennessee Titans' decision to waive quarterback Will Levis. A second-round pick in 2023 for whom the Titans once traded up to the 33rd overall spot, Levis started 21 games across two seasons in Nashville. However, after missing the entire 2025 season due to shoulder surgery, Levis found himself squeezed out of a depth chart now led by 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and veteran backup Mitchell Trubisky.

Titans head coach Robert Saleh praised Levis’s performance following a preseason finale against the Chicago Bears, where Levis went 14-for-22 for 143 yards. Despite the coach's positive comments regarding Levis's awareness and two-minute drill efficiency, the team opted to move forward with Ward and Trubisky as their primary signal-callers. Levis, who threw for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during the 2024 season, now enters the waiver wire as one of the most high-profile young quarterbacks available for teams seeking depth before Week 1.

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In New York, the Giants made a similarly difficult decision by releasing offensive tackle Evan Neal. Selected 7th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Neal’s tenure in New York was marred by performance struggles and injuries. Although the Giants re-signed him to a veteran-minimum contract in March 2026 to provide a "clean slate" under a new coaching staff, he was unable to secure a spot on the final roster. Neal’s release marks a significant turning point for the Giants' offensive line rebuild as they pivot toward other options to protect their backfield.

Looking Ahead

The waiver wire frenzy is now in full effect, with teams having until 1 p.m. ET today to submit claims for waived players. Beyond the headlines of Levis and Neal, other notable moves included the Atlanta Falcons choosing to carry four quarterbacks—Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., Cooper Rush, and Jack Strand—while the New York Giants confirmed that veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. successfully made their initial 53-man roster. For players like Levis, who expressed confidence that he remains a starting-caliber talent, the next 24 hours will determine where they land for the 2026 campaign.