Buffs Beat

Tennessee Titans Release Chidobe Awuzie: NFL Free Agency Landing Spots

The Tennessee Titans are parting ways with former Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie. As an NFL free agent, where will Awuzie land? Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, could he return to his former team?

Harrison Simeon

Sep 15, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (13) takes the field during the first half against the New York Jets during the first half at Nissan Stadium.
Sep 15, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (13) takes the field during the first half against the New York Jets during the first half at Nissan Stadium. / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
In this story:

Former Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has been an NFL mainstay since the Dallas Cowboys drafted him at No. 60 overall in 2017. Now, however, he'll be in search of a new home.

ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the Tennessee Titans had released Awuzie after one year with the team.

In his lone season with Tennessee, Awuzie started seven games (appearing in eight) and logged 26 total tackles, four pass breakups and one interception. He was sidelined with a groin injury that kept him out of action from Week 3 until Week 14, landing on the injured reserve list in the process.

Chidobe Awuzie interception Jaguars
Dec 8, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (13) intercepts the pass thrown by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Awuzie has had a solid eight-season NFL career up to the point of his release. He played four seasons in Dallas and quickly became a starter, putting together back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019 with 11 or more pass breakups and 71 or more total tackles.

Awuzie's struggles to stay healthy first appeared in 2020, when a hamstring injury forced him to miss seven games.

Nevertheless, his time with the Cowboys earned him a lucrative contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021, worth $21.8 million over three years. He had his best season to date in year one with the Bengals, snatching two interceptions and breaking up 14 passes en route to a Super Bowl appearance.

Awuzie suffered a season-ending ACL tear after starting the first eight games of the 2022 season.

After an admirable return to action in 2023 that included six pass breakups and 57 total tackles, the Titans took a chance on the former second-rounder to buff up their struggling secondary. Awuzie signed a three-year, $36 million contract ($23 million guaranteed) with Tennessee last spring.

MORE: NFL Draft Trade: New York Jets Predicted To Trade To Select Shedeur Sanders?

MORE: Deion Sanders Welcomes Denzel Washington To Speak To Colorado Football Team

MORE: NFL Free Agent Tackle David Bakhtiari Injury Update, Return: Kansas City Chiefs Fit

MORE: Deion Sanders Addresses Negotiating Contract Extension With Colorado Buffaloes

Awuzie's pay-day did not go to plan as injuries once again stunted his development, but the 29-year-old's reputation as a versatile presence on the outside should warrant interest in his new newfound free agency.

Some speculate that Awuzie could reunite with one of his former teams. Dallas recently lost starting cornerback Jourdan Lewis in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Trevon Diggs is still rehabbing a knee injury, opening up the need for some experience at cornerback.

While the Cowboys traded for former Buffalo Bills 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam to plug one of their holes at cornerback, a more seasoned talent could still be necessary.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (13) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium
Dec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (13) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The Bengals are coming off a 9-8 season in which their defense was a major weak spot. Cincy allowed an average of 348.3 yards per game, ranked No. 25 in the NFL. Bringing in a familiar face like Awuzie would not be out of the picture, especially one whose best years were spent in the building.

Awuzie's prowess as a run defender could be what gets him his next roster spot. Both Dallas and Cincinnati ranked in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed last season, No. 29 and No. 19, respectively. Pro Football Focus awarded Awuzie with a run defense grade of 80.4 in 2024, ranked No. 17 among active cornerbacks.

Awuzie played four years at Colorado, and his 273 total tackles in his career ranks 22nd all time among Buffaloes. Wherever he ends up next, Awuzie remains on the short list of former Colorado players still making their mark in the NFL after eight seasons. While injuries remain a concern, limiting his time in Tennessee, he still has plenty of football ahead of him.

Published |Modified
Harrison Simeon
HARRISON SIMEON

Harrison Simeon is a beat writer for Colorado Buffaloes On SI. Formerly, he was a writer for Colorado Buffaloes Wire of the USA TODAY Sports network and freelance utility for FOX Sports, working at venues such as Empower Field at Mile High Stadium and Folsom Field. He is finishing his journalism degree at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he has passionately covered football, basketball, and other school programs through its student-run sports media organization, Sko Buffs Sports. As its Associate Producer, he has traveled to six states to cover events such as the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl, the 2024 Pac-12 women’s basketball tournament, and the 2025 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship. He also captained the organization’s exponential growth in membership and on social media, where his posts have been featured on ESPN and Bleacher Report. While with SI, he interns at the Boulder Daily Camera, one of Colorado’s most revered newspapers. He is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Home/Football