NASHVILLE – The Titans face the New York Jets in the season opener on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
Will Cam Ward Start Fast in Year 2?
Cam Ward and the Titans offense, it's time to see what you've got. Most of the outside buzz through the preseason wasn't very positive, as the unit looked just OK in preseason play. But all that matters is what happens moving forward, and the conversation will go from there. As a rookie in 2025, Ward threw for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions, with a passer rating of 80.3. Ward became just the second rookie in NFL history to have seven or fewer interceptions on 500-plus attempts (Caleb Williams, 2024). The reality is Ward finished his rookie year with momentum, aside from the shoulder injury. In his final eight starts of 2025, Ward threw 10 touchdown passes and just one interception. He had the NFL's second-best TD-INT ratio from Weeks 11-18 (min. 150 pass attempts). But a new season begins on Sunday. Can Ward and the offense, under new OC Brian Daboll, start fast?
The O-line vs Jets Defensive Front
The Titans reshaped their offensive line this offseason, with the end result being two new starters in the middle – veteran center Austin Schlottmann, and rookie right guard Fernando Carmona. They'll join left tackle Dan Moore Jr., left guard Peter Skoronski and right tackle JC Latham. Leading up to the season, this group has preached physicality and toughness in their mission to protect Ward, and open up holes for Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the running game. Ward was sacked 55 times in 2025, which was the fifth-most sacks taken by a rookie No.1 overall pick since 1970. The Titans can't afford to let Ward get hit like that again. The challenge in Week 1 is to set the tone against a New York defense with some big bodies, including former Titan T'Vondre Sweat in the middle. How well this group does at the start will go a long way in determining the team's overall success.
Carnell Tate and the Receivers
The Titans drafted receiver Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick of the NFL Draft, and Titans fans are excited to see what he can do, starting in his debut. But the Titans also added more weapons around Ward, including receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, who is one of just five players with 90-plus receptions in each of the last two seasons. Throw rising second-year receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike into the mix with veteran Calvin Ridley, and the Titans have a formidable five for Daboll to work with. Can this group make plays against the Jets? The Titans need more production at the WR position moving forward – the team had just 1,823 receiving yads from receivers in 2025, which was 6th fewest in the NFL.
Defense, Defense, Defense
It seems there's a new look everywhere for the Titans, and this applies to the defense, which is going to a 4-3 after playing a 3-4 previously. Head coach Robert Saleh, a former head coach with the Jets, won't make this game about him, but you can be sure he wants to unleash a defensive plan that will make Sunday miserable for his former squad. Jeffery Simmons, who had a career-high 11 sacks and 60 pressures in 2025, will be at the center of the attack. But new faces are everywhere here, from defensive linemen Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers, both former Jets, to cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott. Linebacker Cedric Gray's concussion has his status in doubt, and rookie Anthony Hill Jr. is among those ready to step up. The Titans defense would love to set the tone against Jets quarterback Geno Smith and Co., and win one for Saleh right out of the gate.
Importance of Week 1
I've heard some folks go as far to call Sunday's game a must win, for the Titans, and the Jets. This is a game both fan bases think their team should win. I don't believe in "must wins" in Week 1. History, however, has proven the winner puts itself in a more advantageous position moving forward. In 2025, nine of the 14 teams that reached the playoffs won in Week 1. A look at more percentages: Since 1990, teams that started 1-0 have made the playoffs 54.3% of the time, win their division 34.3% of the time and won the Super Bowl 4.7% of the time. Teams starting 0-1 during that same time frame made the playoffs 25.3% of the time, win the division 15.3% of the time and won the Super Bowl 1.8% of the time. The Titans are 1½ point favorites on Sunday.
Chris Johnson Ceremony
During halftime, the Titans will induct former running back Chris Johnson into the team's Ring of Honor in what should be an emotional ceremony. Johnson, who went public with his ALS diagnosis earlier this year, will deliver a speech during what is expected to be a 6- to 7-minute ceremony on the field at halftime. Former Titans running back LenDale White, Johnson's teammate in Tennessee, will also make a speech. Vince Young, Bo Scaife, Pacman Jones, Nate Washington, Michael Griffin, Ahmard Hall, Keith Bulluck, Jurrell Casey, Marc Mariani, Derrick Morgan, Michael Roos, Eugene Amano, Jevon Kearse, Ryan Mouton and White are among the former Titans scheduled to be in attendance. A two-minute video will be shown on the video boards, and Johnson's spot in the Ring Honor, at a location atop the lower bowl at Nissan Stadium, will be unveiled.
