Lloyd Cushenberry III in Fierce Push to Win Back Starting Role Before Titans’ Season Opener.

Lloyd Cushenberry III finds himself at a pivotal crossroads as the Tennessee Titans inch closer to the start of the 2025 NFL season. Once a reliable starting center with the Denver Broncos, Cushenberry’s move to Tennessee was seen as an opportunity for a fresh start. But nothing in the NFL is guaranteed, and now he’s deep in a battle—not just for playing time, but for his professional reputation, relevance, and future. With training camp well underway and the Titans evaluating every detail with scrutiny, Cushenberry is in a race against time to reclaim a starting role and prove that he still belongs among the league’s best interior linemen.

When the Titans signed Cushenberry in the offseason, the decision was met with cautious optimism. Tennessee’s offensive line had been in need of stability after a rocky 2024 campaign, and Cushenberry’s experience and leadership made him an appealing option. His body of work in Denver, where he started nearly every game since being drafted in the third round in 2020, gave the Titans hope that he could be a veteran anchor in a unit that had struggled with consistency. But the NFL doesn’t deal in nostalgia. It demands production in the now. And as the team began assembling for offseason workouts, it became clear that Cushenberry would have to earn everything.

The Titans’ coaching staff has remained mum on the depth chart, but it’s no secret that second-year lineman James Powers has made an impression. Drafted in the fourth round last year, Powers spent most of his rookie season learning from the sidelines. However, his natural athleticism and improved technique this offseason have vaulted him into serious contention for the starting center role. What was once seen as Cushenberry’s job to lose has now evolved into a full-fledged competition.

Cushenberry, for his part, has approached the challenge with quiet intensity. Known for his cerebral approach to the game, he’s been spending extra hours in the film room, studying not just his own tendencies, but also the movements and strengths of Tennessee’s defensive linemen in practice. His understanding of defensive fronts and ability to make pre-snap adjustments remain some of his strongest assets. And in a league where one misread can result in a sack or a busted play, his mental sharpness gives him a real edge.

Still, questions persist. During his final season in Denver, Cushenberry battled minor injuries and at times appeared to struggle in pass protection. There were flashes of his old form, but consistency proved elusive. The Titans believe that a change in scenery and scheme might rejuvenate his game. Under offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, the team is focused on a balanced attack that leans heavily on timing and rhythm, especially in the passing game. For a center, that means communication and chemistry with the quarterback are paramount. Cushenberry has been working closely with starting quarterback Will Levis, trying to develop that crucial synergy that can often mean the difference between a clean snap and a blown play.

The stakes are high. For Cushenberry, this season represents more than just another year in the league—it’s about extending a career that could go in either direction. He’s only 27, still in what should be the prime of his career, but the NFL has a short memory. If he loses this battle, he could find himself relegated to a backup role, possibly with limited opportunities to prove himself again. If he wins, he becomes a foundational piece on a team aiming to bounce back in a competitive AFC South division.

The Titans’ offensive line has undergone significant changes in recent years, and the team is hoping that this year marks the beginning of a new era of stability. While Cushenberry’s main focus is reclaiming his starting job, his veteran presence in the locker room hasn’t gone unnoticed. Younger linemen routinely gravitate toward him, seeking advice on technique, preparation, and what it takes to survive in the trenches of the NFL. Head coach Brian Callahan has praised Cushenberry’s professionalism and his willingness to compete, emphasizing that the team values accountability and performance above all else.

Yet, competition brings pressure, and not every player thrives under it. Cushenberry seems to be embracing it. His practices have been intense. Each snap taken is measured and deliberate. During one recent scrimmage, he was seen barking out protections with authority, seamlessly adjusting to a disguised blitz that would have likely caught a less experienced lineman off guard. Plays like that remind observers why he’s still in this fight.

The path forward remains unclear. Training camp battles are often fluid, and performances in preseason games will carry significant weight. The Titans’ coaching staff will be watching not only for who performs well individually, but also who elevates the line as a unit. In today’s NFL, the offensive line must function with near-surgical precision, and continuity is often valued over raw talent. If Cushenberry can prove that he brings both, the job may ultimately be his.

Cushenberry is also battling the perception of being replaceable. Interior linemen, especially centers, are often underappreciated until something goes wrong. Snap misfires, miscommunications, or failed double teams tend to be the only moments when fans or analysts take notice. It’s a thankless job in many ways, but one that Cushenberry has always approached with a blue-collar mentality. He understands the value of doing the small things right—the hand placement, the leverage battles, the timing with the quarterback.

His journey from LSU standout to NFL mainstay wasn’t without its own hurdles. Coming into the league, some scouts questioned whether he had the strength to handle elite NFL defensive tackles. Cushenberry silenced those doubts early by becoming a starter as a rookie and rarely missing a snap over his first three seasons. Now, with the experience of nearly 60 career starts, he’s hoping to silence a new wave of doubt and show that he’s far from finished.

As the preseason opener draws near, the Titans will begin narrowing their options. Each practice rep, each team meeting, each preseason snap will be part of the final evaluation. For Cushenberry, every moment is a chance to shift the narrative. He’s not just battling Powers, or the playbook, or the clock—he’s battling the nature of the league itself. A league that favors youth, celebrates upside, and often moves on without looking back.

But if there’s one thing working in his favor, it’s that Lloyd Cushenberry III is not the kind of player who backs down from a fight. His career to this point has been defined by resilience. Whether it was beating the odds to become a starter in Denver or grinding through injuries to stay on the field, he’s shown a consistent ability to push forward, no matter the odds. And now, in Tennessee, he’s looking to do it again.

The story of training camp often goes beyond schemes and formations—it’s about people. It’s about battles like the one Cushenberry finds himself in: battles that define careers, shape teams, and ultimately decide who gets to run onto the field when the lights come on and the real games begin. As the clock ticks toward the Titans’ season opener, Lloyd Cushenberry III continues to grind, sweat, and fight—determined to remind the football world of the player he still believes he can be.