NASHVILLE â Happy New Year!
The next time we do this mailbag â for this weekend â it will be 2026.
And, this Titans season will be a day away from officially being over.
For now, let's see what everyone is thinking after Sunday's loss to the Saints.
Let's goâŠ
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! While I certainly wish the end of the Saints game was different, I wanted to write in and make a point about about the atmosphere at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
It was FUN.
It felt loud on third downs. People were engaged. Saints fans were rowdy but respectful. Most importantly, we see the youth movement finally starting to pay dividends on the field. Borgonzi absolutely knocked this draft out of the park.
The vibes around the team have completely changed over the last month or so. The big win against the Chiefs was exactly what we needed.
Here's to hoping the momentum continues into the offseason, the organization can keep engaging fans the right way, and we can hire a great coaching staff to usher in this new era of Titans Football.
Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Joe. I agree. When I was doing my six things that stood out from the game, I'd considered doing a graph on the fans, but I got to six pretty quick with game developments. But I thought the crowd was great on Sunday, too. From my seat in the press box, I saw fans really into the game, making noise, having fun. The Titans are fortunate to have the loyal, dedicated fans they do, because they've been put through a lot of misery over the past few years. I know it's caused a lot of fans to jump ship. I do think better days are ahead, and the ones like yourself, who have regularly shown up through the good times and the bad, will appreciate it more when things turn.
Ben Crump from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim: I know there was a bit of euphoria surrounding the Titans going into this Sunday, and I hate to be the Grinch this holiday season, but it was all a mirage. Winning a couple of meaningless games is just that no matter what anyone says. The Titans are still a very bad football team. But you know what is not a mirage? Malik Willis being a great QB. The question really should not be whether Levis is as good or better than Cam, he is not, but how in the world did we give up on Malik Willis? He is unbelievable. A true star. It actually seems that when you watch any NFL game, the best player or one of the best players we are watching are former Titans (watching Malik go head to head with Derrick Henry Saturday night was painful for this life long Titans fan). And that is not even mentioning the AJ Brown debacle (or even that Treylon Burks looks like a different guy after leaving the Titans). I also about fell out of my chair when I was watching a Dolphins game and the announcer said that their center, who was terrible as our center last year, was the star of the offensive line for them all season. I could keep going all day listing star players on other teams we let go. Instead of finding some happiness in meaningless games, we should still be competing for the playoffs if only we just kept our players and developed them, and we kept the guy who will likely be the Coach of the year and have the number 1 seed in the AFC. I am sorry for this downbeat letter, but that is the truth. Any Titans fan who knows anything can't be happy about being competitive in games that don't matter and ignoring what we should be if the decision makers were at all competent. I know this is not lost on you, but I would really appreciate your thoughts on how it is possible that so many players, not just one or two, and many beyond those I listed, who were busts here, or just given up on (Kevin Byard comes to mind) have gone on to be absolute stars elsewhere. It's mind boggling. I love your mailbag Jim, and Happy New Year to you.
Jim: Hey Ben. I don't necessarily subscribe to your "mirage" line of thinking. And I don't think there has necessarily been a euphoric feeling in the fan base of late either. I just think folks have been encouraged by the improvement they've seen in recent weeks. And, in my mind, there has been clear improvement. But yes, the team is still 3-13, and overall has to be considered "bad" because of that record. Improved, but still not good. There's plenty of work to be done, and we agree on that. As for Malik, who I like as a player and a person, I'm not ready to proclaim him a "star" at this point. Sure, he looks like a different guy compared to when he was here, but that happens with more experience, and with a coaching staff willing to put together game plans to take advantage of his strengths. Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown are great players, and we agree in a perfect world, they'd still be Titans. I don't think A.J. wanted to be here, and a part of me is happy Derrick hasn't had to suffer on a team in rebuilding mode. As for Treylon Burks, he couldn't stay healthy here, and eight catches for 118 yards in seven games with the Commanders doesn't make him worth mentioning as one who got away. I think I liked Aaron Brewer more than most fans did when he was here, so throwing him into this mix feels like you're cheating. I do admit, I didn't like the decision to move on from Byard. I get your frustration, Ben, and I know a lot of other Titans fans have been frustrated by these developments as well. And, I appreciate you reading, and for taking the time to send this. One last thought: Titans fans are going to have to get over all this. What's done is done, and it does nobody any good to be mad about it years later.
Jack Walker from Calabasas, California
Question: Hey Jim, actually a really entertaining game!! Yeah it's another L but that Shough kid... What was he, 2nd rounder? Probably OROY. Despite being outplayed today, Ward is looking better and better and I'm actually looking forward to 26... But I sure hope we are smart enough to trade down this time to build for the future instead of making a lotto pick hoping that R1 is the same thing as a perennial pro bowler. Still think Dike was our highlight!! Happy New Year!!
Jim: We have a lot of time to discuss draft possibilities. I was impressed with Shough myself. I've heard other folks say he outplayed Cam, and again, he played well. But we can't ignore the fact Ward was facing the NFL's ninth-ranked passing defense, and Shough was facing the NFL's 26th ranked defense, which featured some Titans cornerbacks who probably shouldn't be playing. Just saying. Happy New Year!
Chris Allen from Houston, Texas
Question: Howdy Jim. How critical will it be for next year's coaching staff to shore up better right tackle play. Latham is 2nd in league in penalties and Sunday's was costly as the next play after his hold gave the defense 7 point. I mean this is an overall 7th pick. How can this team really improve if we continue the trend of not being to rely on first round picks to contribute at a higher level?
Jim: I'll be honest, Chris: Right tackle is far from my biggest area of concern. Sure, Latham needs to clean things up from a penalty standpoint, and he needs to be more consistent. But I've been more encouraged by his play of late than discouraged, and when I look at the rest of this team, I see a bunch of other needs at cornerback edge, receiver, etc. I anticipate Latham being this team's right tackle in 2026, and I think he'll be better.
Eli Patnesky from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim, this is a minor question, but I was wondering if you think we should keep Chig Okwonko next year. He had a heck of a game vs the Saints. That TD he had was awesome. That is some good Balance. But I was asking what you think because I heard some talk that we should trade him and I do t think we should but I want to know what you think. Thanks for everything you do for this organization. I hope the Titans can finish strong. have a good week and TITAN UP!!
P.S (have a good new yearđ„łđ„łđ„ł)
Jim: Hi Eli. Happy New Year. Chig is actually scheduled to become a free agency in March, so the question is whether the team should re-sign him or not. I like Chig, and think a Gunnar Helm/Chig Okonkwo pairing moving forward would be solid. I like David Martin-Robinson as well. But a lot depends on what the market might look like for Chig, and what he wants as well.
Darris Mays from Lewisville, Texas
Question: Good morning Jim! I pray all is well! I think if the Titans going to get back on track, here's the top four coaches.
(1) Robert Saleh - 49ers
(2) Josh McDaniels - patriots
(3) Vance Joseph- Denver
(4) Mike McCarthy- free agent
If I were the GM for the Titans my choice would be Robert Salah or Vance Joseph.
Two great defensive minded coaches. The most exciting part of this is we don't know who it's going to be. Also I would keep all of my young receivers and I would draft offensive linemen and Linebackers and defensive linemen. If we hire Josh McDaniels he would fix the offense. I really hope we get it right this time. Have a blessed day Jim.
Jim: Hey Darris. I'll pass these along to the fellas.
Have a great day!
Chris Kakalos from Brooklyn, New York
Question: Hello Jim. I like the progress in our last quarter of the season, very encouraging, but please one plead and hopefully higher ups can see this or you can get in their ear lol: If it was me I will not start Cam Ward for the last game of season. He has been getting better and better with each passing week and nothing else to prove he has more then enough in game experience I mean he has played in every snap I believe. He is tremendously durable really really impress with I haven't even seen a winced from him with any pain that's very encouraging he is just bread that way I guess. I know Jags have something to play for and not fair for Texans but we have to do what's best interest of the franchise god forbid something happens and injury goes into next year really not worth it ..what's ur opinion Jim ? Also Jim what you think of Klint Kubiak from Seattle his name hasn't come up I know Titans front office will do there due diligence but he is someone that I will give a hard look also has the bloodlines and he calls the plays for Seattle and has done a tremendous job unlike our previous HC who never call plays with Bengals ..this a crucial hire we need to nail it !! With ward being in place as maybe franchise qb I hope and some other pieces we have and ton of cap space and also new state of art stadium the Titan job is very enticing. Thanks Jim
Jim: Hey Chris. I wouldn't want to be around if someone tried telling Cam they were going to sit him for the finale. I'm only partly kidding. I get where you're coming from, but these are the kind of games than Cam can benefit from, so I'm all for playing him to get him as much experience as possible. I've seen Klint's name on some name to watch lists across the league. We'll have to see if he ends up being in the mix ⊠And I agree there are some good pieces in place, the team just needs more.
Sam Bingham from Tuscon, Arizona
Question: Remember back in the day when the Titans - Jaguars game meant something for the division and the playoffs?. Maybe next year or the next or the next who's to say maybe when they get into their new Stadium Luv you Titans for life.
Jim: It still does mean something, Sam. If the Jaguars beat the Titans on Sunday, they'll claim the AFC South title.
Have a great week everyone!
