The Tennessee Titans signed the top center available in free agency Monday, inking former Denver Bronco Lloyd Cushenberry to a four-year, $50 million contract with some very strong underlying figures.
The four-year deal averages $12.5 million per year, the third-highest figure at the center position across the NFL.
Cushenberry gets $26 million fully guaranteed at signing with $30 million in total guarantees.
The $20 million in first-year cash is the most ever for a center, and the $30 million in cash flow through year two is tied with Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly for the most ever. The $15 million average over the first two years significantly outpaces the overall average annual value of the deal.
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Cushenberry will earn $38 million over the first three years, so the cash flows outpace the $12.5 million per year in each year of the deal. He will still be in his late 20s by the end of the contract and can sign another deal before turning 30. Another bite at the apple in a center market that should be expected to continue to grow with the elevated importance of interior offensive line play, specifically in pass protection, lines this up well for Cushenberry going forward.
Cushenberry’s 76.4 pass-blocking grade in 2023 was the third-best mark among centers, and his 2.3% pressure rate allowed also ranked third at the position. No one benefits more from this move than Titans quarterback Will Levis, who not only gets improved protection up front but also a veteran to help him call out protections at the line.
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