NASHVILLE – When the Titans introduced Robert Saleh as the team's new head coach back in January, he said something that resonated with many of the team's players.
Over 7½ months later, as the Titans prepare to kick off the 2026 season on Sunday against the New York Jets, tackle JC Latham pointed to Saleh's message that day as a reason he believes better days are ahead.
"It was the culture that was established from day one," Latham said on Monday. "His presser on day one of his first time being here, he said he wanted to bring life to not only to the team, but to the whole city. When you are watching the Tennessee Titans play, he is going to want to make you want to jump through the TV. And he's stood on that day in and day out, being a man of his word. His mantra of playing fast and playing violent, no matter what it is, being intentional every single day, is something that he's stood on every single time he's stepped into the building."
The Titans, coming off back-to-back 3-14 seasons, have lost five straight Week 1 contests. The team's last season opening win was during the Covid season in 2020, when the Titans won in Denver.
Latham said the team needs to change their fortunes, starting Sunday.
"It is extremely important," he said. "The first game is the tone-setter. Obviously going into that game, the things that you establish, I look at things like OTAs, the minicamps, training camp, the joint practices, all of those are building blocks and all those are learning experiences to set yourself up for a great season, a great year.
"I think the first major test is Week 1, the first game."
The Titans open the season with plenty of new, from Saleh and his coaching staff to a new free agency class and draft class that helped change the look of the team.
Some key players return, of course, from quarterback Cam Ward to defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
On the offensive side of the ball, players feel they're ready.
"I have a lot of trust in (OC Brian) Daboll, and also all the guys in this room," receiver/returner Chimere Dike said. "I feel like we have a lot of talent. I think our line has done a great job in training camp and the preseason, and the team has taken strides, and gotten better.
"I think one of the best things about coach Saleh is how much he pushes us, the level to attention to detail and energy and effort that we put into every single practice. We are ready to go."
On the defensive side of the ball, the players are conditioned, and eager.
"That was probably the toughest camp I've done in my professional career," defensive end Jermaine Johnson said. "I am just excited to be able to roll that into the season. I am extremely conditioned right now, just like everybody else on this team. … I think we're just ready to go to be honest."
Added fellow defensive end Jacob Martin, another newcomer:
"Ooooh weee, football season is here and I am super excited about it. We've put in a lot of hard work this offseason and hopefully we'll see the results we want to see this Sunday.
"New regime, new logo, so there's a lot of things to be excited about that are new in this building. Getting the season off on the right foot is huge for us, so we can go where we want to go. I think for us to do that we have to start fast and play our side of ball. Everybody is fresh and feeling good. Now it's time to focus on this gameplan and do what we do."
The Jets are coming to town looking to change their fortunes as well.
The Jets also finished 3-14 last season, and they've lost six of their past seven openers. Their only win during that stretch was in 2023, with Saleh as the team's head coach.
But it's a new season now.
At least it will be for the Titans, and Jets, starting on Sunday.
"We get a fresh start – not to look back, not to look forward, but to be present. It's about now," Titans running back Tyjae Spears said. "It's definitely been a long wait.
"We are super excited. We have a young team, and we have a lot of cool vets that lead the way. We have a hungry team, and we are coming for it."
