NASHVILLE – The Titans are now eight practices into training camp.
On Wednesday, the team leaves for Tampa for a joint practice against the Buccaneers, leading up to Saturday's preseason opener.
Today is an off day for the players, and a good time to bang out a mailbag.
Let's do this…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Jake Stumb from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Jim, Big fan - Long time reader, first time writer...What's your take on our rookie class, and who do you see making the biggest impact day 1 - besides Ward? What's your opinion on some of the rookies who haven't seen as much media time since the draft (Helm, Slater, Winston, and Harris)?
Jim: Hey Jake. Good to hear from you. It's been a fun rookie class to watch. I think a lot of these guys could make an early impact, but Femi Oladejo is who I'm going to name here. The team has big plans for him early, and he's on track to deliver. I've been impressed by him so far. I've really liked what I've seen from rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr., too. He's a big safety, athletic, great skills. His time will come. The receivers, Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, have potential to help as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they do in the upcoming joint practices. Gunnar Helm is another guy coaches are high on, and he's been making plays. Slater got off to a bit of a slow start, but appears to be settling down. Marcus Harris is finding his way while getting reps behind others.
Michael Lewis from Tuscon, Arizona
Question: Hello Jim, everyone has a take, so here goes mine!! I think that the receivers will make the biggest difference this year on how the Titans are perceived. The speed and versatility of the group will help Ward throw for over 4k yards. I think Chimere will have a breakout season as a returner and Z receiver. What are your thoughts?
Jim: Oh man, that's an optimistic take, Michael. I like Dike, and think he's going to be a factor. I'm not ready to make any bold predictions yet, though.
Bill Brown from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Question: Good Day Jim. Coming into camp, there was a lot of excitement about the chance of Restrepo making the 53 man roster. Of all of the reports coming out of practices I haven't seen anything on X- man. What's going on with him? I know it's still early, but only hearing crickets thus far.
Jim: Hey Bill. Xavier has made plays – I have him with 14 catches over the first eight practices. But he's been running with guys deeper on the depth chart. It's not that he's underperforming, it's just that so many other guys are ahead of him, from the veterans to the draft picks. He just needs to keep working, which he does every day.
Jay Esterson from Miami, Florida
Question: Hi Jim. Writing from Miami just to tell you how many new Titans fans we have down here. Cam Ward is loved in Miami for the same reasons you in Nashville are loving him. He lives, eats, drinks, and sleeps football. I have no doubt he will one day lead the Titans to the Super Bowl. Question for you though: why does the national media insist the Titans have a bad roster, ranked near the bottom? They seem quite solid at the receiver, TE, and running back spots, OL is an improvement, and the defense was solid last year and looks better on paper this year.
Jim: Hey Jay. I really like Cam's energy, work ethic and mindset. He is a no-nonsense guy, who is a great tone-setter. He's had his ups and downs in camp, but that was to be expected. As for the national perception of the Titans, it's low because this franchise went 3-14 last year and is 9-32 in the last 41 games. This year's team is going to have to win games, and earn respect.
Adrian Lopez from Caracas, Venezuela
Question: Hola Jim... Gracias por mantenernos informados de nuestros Titans... El campo de entrenamiento ha sido entretenido...ahora con las protecciones se pone serio... Mi pregunta es como eval as a Ward hasta ahora en su rendimiento se que no te gustan las comparaciones pero no puedo evitar saber c mo lo ves en relaci n a Mariota y Vince Young en su primer campo de entrenamiento? La otra cu l ser el plan con Ward en la pretemporada jugar mucho para que se adapte a la nfl o lo cuidaran y jugara algunas series para estar listo para los Rams...gracias TITAN UP...
Jim: Hola Adrian. Tienes razón, no me gustan las comparaciones, sobre todo a estas alturas. Necesito ver más a Cam en los entrenamientos conjuntos y en los partidos de pretemporada. Algo que recuerdo de Marcus es que tuvo una gran racha sin lanzar una intercepción en el campamento. Cam ha sido interceptado siete veces en ocho entrenamientos. No todas fueron culpa suya, claro. Se trata de mejorar, y Cam está trabajando en ello.
Wayne Rudolph from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. I remember last year inside linebacker Chance Campbell had a great preseason before tearing his ACL a week or two before the season started when it looked like he was likely to be a big piece in the LB rotation. According to everywhere I've seen he is still a Titan but I haven't heard anything about how he is progressing back from the injury or how he is practicing. Could you give us any sort of update on how he's doing?
Jim: Hey Wayne. Chance is no longer a part of the team. He wasn't tendered as a restricted free agent, and he remains unsigned. Chance had some impressive moments in camp, and preseason games. He just had bad luck from an injury standpoint.
John Myers from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: No one predicted the Commanders to make the conference championship but their rookie quarterback was awesome. I think Cam Ward will be rookie OPOY and the Titans …..will go 6-11. That would allow them to get another high draft pick but not sure if it will get a Callahan a third year.
Jim: Appreciate you chiming in, John.
James Essary from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: How you doing Jim? Hope you been keeping cool with this heat. My only question is do you think Terry McLaurin (hope I spelled that right) is worth trying to sign? Seen a bunch of different answers and just wanted to see what you think.
Jim: Hey James. I notice some of these guys supposedly on the trade market out there, not just the one you mentioned. I can't name names, because I don't want to get in trouble for tampering. I'll just say this – I can't see the team giving up much to go out and get anybody. It would go against the draft and develop philosophy we've heard all offseason.
Robert Andrews from Levittown, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim. I haven't written in a while but just wanted to give you an update.:
Titan Antonio Francis Andrews
Born 07/26/2025
@ 12:15am
19 1/2 in long
He will be a new fan of the Tennessee Titans heck maybe even play for them at some point. He was born on his due date. Only 4-5% of people are born on a due date.
Me and him can't wait to watch the titans play. Win or lose I'm excited for the season
TitanUp
Jim: Congrats, Robert. Baby Titan!
Derrick Lewis from San Diego, California
Question: Hey Jim, love your Titans coverage. I have some questions and concerns about the 2025 Titans' offensive line, particularly when it comes to depth. If the team suffers an injury or two, I worry that the line might struggle to hold up.
On a more positive note, I'm feeling good about the defense. However, I do have a few concerns that I'd like to hear your thoughts on. Who do you think will emerge as the swing tackle... Hance or Duncan? This could potentially be a problem area for the team. Additionally, I'm concerned about the lack of a strong running game that can consume the clock, create physicality, and control the line of scrimmage...all key factors in winning games.
I also have some doubts about whether Brian Callahan is the right person to lead this rebuild project. While I believe that football is still won in the trenches with a strong running game and defense, Callahan's play-calling identity seemed inconsistent last year. Do you think he has what it takes to get Titans to the Playoffs? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Jim: Playoffs? Playoffs? (Jim Mora voice). Sorry, couldn't resist. As for the o-line, the starting group I do think is better across the board. It's fair to question the depth, because the team has some young guys vying for spots. Blake Hance is a capable, veteran swing guy. He's missed some time in camp, but he's solid. Corey Levin has experience behind Cushenberry. The coaches really like John Ojukwu and his upside, while Jaelyn Duncan is going to still need to keep proving himself. Duncan has had opportunities, he just hasn't been able to capitalize on them. Andrew Rupcich has gotten better, and he's proven he can be versatile. But, I'll be honest – I could see o-line being an area where the team dips into the waiver wire a few times, when players are released from other teams. I think the final group will be a combo of guys who are currently on the roster, and on other rosters.
Have a great week everyone!
