The s begin their 2026 NFL season at dwelling once they host the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, at 12:00 p.m. CST on Sunday, September 13.
The Titans' preseason outings didn't present us very a lot. The starters performed a minimal variety of snaps whereas new head coach Robert Saleh and his new coordinators continued to judge gamers. Like each different NFL workforce, they trimmed their roster right down to 53 gamers on August thirtieth and have made a couple of further strikes since then.
Whereas there’s an aura of cautious hope round this workforce, there’s additionally a smidge of, "Is that this actually going to work?" The consensus amongst consultants proper now retains the Titans close to the underside of the ability rankings, and solely their play on the sector and talent to win video games will see them transfer up.
As we enter Week 1, right here's a take a look at the place the Titans place in a large number of energy rankings.
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Nate Davis, Y: 28
They're relying on a younger offense led by second-year QB Cam Ward to take a significant step. They're relying on a protection infused with costly free agent upgrades to take a significant step. They usually're counting closely on Saleh to make all of it work. But the preseason advised they shouldn't essentially depend on on the spot leads to 2026.
Frank Schwab, s: 27
Cam Ward accomplished 13 of 24 passes for 126 yards within the preseason and struggled on any downfield throws. Some have pretty identified that he was higher in joint practices. We're going to get to see. Ward faces an enormous season in his profession path.
Diante Lee, r: 28
I’m beginning to second-guess the optimism I had about quarterback Cam Ward. I do know it was solely the preseason, however he appeared shaky in motion; he completed his two begins, in opposition to the 49ers and Seahawks, with six sacks and a 69.1 passer score. He nonetheless makes errors together with his pocket administration and invitations stress, and he’s struggling to play effectively throughout the construction of the offense. I’m prepared to withhold any respectable panic till later within the 12 months, however we have to see some proof of idea this season to maintain questions on him being a bust at bay.
He’ll additionally want some assist from rookie receiver Carnell Tate, whom the workforce drafted fourth general (however whom we must also maintain affordable expectations for, as this receiving class was significantly weak). Rookie receivers not often dominate to start out their careers, so I don’t have to see him play like Ja’Marr Chase as a lot as I have to see him persistently get separation and provides Ward a reliable choice. If their connection lags within the first month of the season, I’ll begin elevating some (way-too-early) crimson flags.
Ralph Vacchiano, s: 27
Tremendous Bowl odds: +13000
QB Cam Ward has had a really uneven summer season, which isn’t an excellent signal. If OC Brian Daboll can get him pointed in the correct path, there’s sufficient round him for the Titans to be a tough workforce to beat. However proper now, that’s an enormous "if."
Pete Prisco, s: 28
Cam Ward didn't look good within the preseason. Then once more, it's the preseason. Let's gradual the roll. However he needs to be higher.
Pete Martuneac, d: 26
Robert Saleh goes to have his fingers full attempting to show the Titans round. He's received some playmakers to work with, however lots is driving on the second-year growth of quarterback Cam Ward.
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, c: 28
First sport: vs. Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Mock’s projected win complete: 5.8
The Titans are a mixed 6-28 the previous two seasons, so it’d be exhausting to go wherever however up, particularly as a brand new regime led by Robert Saleh enters. Saleh remade the workforce’s protection, bringing in 5 new starters, and added vast receiver Carnell Tate within the first spherical to assist second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
l: 28
The Titans even have some respectable items round Cam Ward with Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate becoming a member of the workforce. Nonetheless, the offensive line continues to be suspect, whereas the protection nonetheless has loads of holes though some upgrades had been added like John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson.
NFL Nation, N: 28
Milestone to look at: The Titans are one win from 500 as a franchise, together with the playoffs and relationship again to 1964 because the Houston Oilers.
The Titans have gained solely six video games prior to now two seasons. Nonetheless, their subsequent win will put them at 500 victories as a franchise (499-552-6 general document). Tennessee may have an excellent probability to win within the season opener at Nissan Stadium in opposition to the Jets, who completed with a 3-14 document final season. At present, that's one in every of solely two video games Tennessee is favored to win this season (the opposite being in opposition to the Browns in Week 7). The final time the Titans gained a season-opening sport was a 16-14 victory at Denver in 2020.
This text initially appeared on Titans Wire: ?