NASHVILLE – The Titans lost 24-15 to the Chicago Bears on Saturday in the preseason finale at Nissan Stadium.
Senior Writer and Editor Jim Wyatt takes a look at six things that stood out from the contest.
Levis Starts, Hooker Finishes
With starter Cam Ward and back-up Mitchell Trubisky not dressed out for the game, Will Levis got the start at quarterback for the Titans. Levis finished the game 14-of-22 for 143 yards, with a passer rating of 82.2. Levis made some nice throws, and he guided a pair of long drives that ended with field goals. Levis found receiver Xavier Restrepo and tight end Kylen Granson for three completions each, but he wasn't able to get the team into the end zone. Hendon Hooker started the second half for the Titans and finished the contest 5-of-8 for 37 yards. Now, the waiting game begins for Levis, and others, regarding the future. Levis said he's grateful for his time in Nashville, and he didn't want to talk about the possibility of him not being here. "I don't want to predict or talk about things that haven't happened yet," Levis said. "We'll get there when we get there."
A Quick Night for Carnell Tate
Titans rookie receiver Carnell Tate had a quick night, and he nearly went out with a bang. Tate played the first series of the game for the Titans, and Levis threw deep to him on a third down pass attempt. Tate got under the football, but he wasn't able to haul the pass in. Tate finished the preseason without a catch on six targets. While Tate was quiet in the preseason games, he did have a really productive last practice of camp, as he caught seven passes and scored two touchdowns in Thursday's joint practice.
Defensive Letdown
OK, so not many starters were on the field for this one. Linebacker Cedric Gray was out there, and so were Jacob Martin and Marcus Harris. Jeffery Simmons and a lot of his buddies were on the sideline in baseball caps. But, as was the case in the first two preseason games, the defense didn't look sharp early. The Bears scored on a 97-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyson Bagent to Zavion Thomas on their first snap on offense, which made it 7-0, and Chicago converted one fourth down after the next in the first half. The Bears were 4-of-5 on fourth down in Saturday night's game.
Slye Streak
No Titan ended the preseason with more momentum than Slye, who made kicks of 25, 28 and 56 yards on Saturday night. Slye finished the preseason a perfect 11-of-11, after also going 4-of-4 in preseason wins over the 49ers and Seahawks as well. Slye finished training camp with 25 consecutive made field goals in practice, and counting the preseason games, he's made 36 kicks in a row. Slye said he feels like he's heading into the regular season in a groove. "I am never going to not like making kicks," Slye said. "I'd definitely like to be in that situation versus missing them."
Enthusiastic back-ups
Those on hand at Nissan Stadium on Saturday know there were a lot of Bears fans in the stadium. The Titans had some of their rowdiest fans on the field – their players. Titans starters not in uniform spent most of the night waving towels and cheering on their teammates. When Jacob Martin celebrated a fumble recovery by running into the end zone on the opposite end of the field, defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers and several others joined the celebration downfield despite not being dressed out. Simmons was disputing calls from the refs all night. Things will be a lot more serious when the Titans return to Nissan Stadium in two weeks, when they kick off the regular season against the New York Jets. But this night was all about having fun.
Dolly Remembered
Prior to the game, the Titans held a moment of silence for the legendary Dolly Parton, who passed away earlier in the week. The Nissan Stadium crowd stood and cheered when an image of Parton appeared on the video boards prior to the National Anthem. Titans guard Fernando Carmona wore a Dolly Parton shirt to the game, and Parton's songs "9 to 5," "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" played during breaks in the action with some in the crowd singing along. I didn't hear my personal favorite, "Here You Come Again" while in the press box, but I might have missed it while looking for a hot dog.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Chicago Bears in Preseason Week 3 at Nissan Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Tennessee Titans/Tennessee Titans
