(Audacy Sports/WGR 550) - The Tennessee Titans cleaned house on Wednesday, saving a combined $28.8 million in cap space by cutting tackle Taylor Lewan, wide receiver Robert Woods and kicker Randy Bullock.
While Lewan lamented the end of an era, thanking Titans fans for their support over the past nine years, Woods seemed ecstatic, reveling in his newfound freedom.
Traded to Tennessee following a five-year stint with his hometown Los Angeles Rams, Woods was a member of the Titans for all of one season, setting career-lows in receiving yards (527), yards per-game (31.0) and yards per-catch (9.9).
Succumbing to injuries, including a high-ankle sprain to starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill (who would ultimately require season-ending surgery), the Titans faded badly down the stretch, losing their final seven games and missing the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Tennessee’s passing game was always bound for regression, an inevitability following the offseason departure of A.J. Brown (now with the Philadelphia Eagles).
However, with Malik Willis and Josh Dobbs tasked with replacing Tannehill, the Titans were as one-dimensional as any team in the sport, passing on just 50.9% of their plays. Only the similarly run-centric Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons threw for fewer yards this past season (3,227), which could explain Woods’ zeal for a fresh start.
Despite his age, 31, and recent lack of productivity, Woods’ track record as a two-time 1,000-yard receiver should make him an appealing reclamation project for teams seeking a veteran presence on the outside. The Titans, arguably, did Woods a favor by releasing him now, allowing him to sign immediately as opposed to other free agents, who can’t begin negotiating until the “legal tampering” window, which begins March 13.
Woods started his career with the Buffalo Bills after being drafted in the second round (41st overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft.
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