NASHVILLE – It's game week.
Finally.
The long runway to the Titans season is nearly out of space, as we'll kick off the season on Sunday against the Jets at Nissan Stadium.
Let's dive into a mailbag early in the week to check the pulse…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Tim Crossland from Atlanta, Georgia
Question: Hey Jim, what is the biggest unanswered question entering the 2026 season?
Jim: Hmm, well, I think this team has a lot of unanswered questions, from how Cam Ward will do in Year 2 to how the offensive line will hold up to if the secondary will settle in and be more dependable. I do think this roster is better than a year ago, and I think this team will be better coached. I like the energy, and confidence, surrounding the team. But I think there's optimism all over the NFL heading into the first week of the season. And soon, we're going to start getting some answers.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! Great seeing you last week.
In my many years of Titans fandom, I feel like I've had a pretty good beat on our OL situation year-to-year. I can't remember a time where a player (especially a late round rookie) has seemingly come out of nowhere to be a starter.
I've been extremely impressed by Fernando Carmona so far this preseason. He wasn't on my radar at all as a potential starter, and I've got to give Borgonzi and his team a ton of credit for that pick. He looks like the real deal and I'm excited to see how things progress with him and JC on the right side.
Who else do you see being active on gamedays to start the season? I've got to think Crenshaw-Dickson is locked in as our swing tackle, and Jackson Slater as the interior backup for at least two positions? What are your thoughts on these spots, and who else do you think might be active up front on gameday?
Jim: Good to see you, Joe. I suspect the team will keep eight of the 10 linemen active on game day, and you may end up being right on Jackson Slater and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson being two of the three depth guys at the start. If so, who will be the eighth? I think at this point there are questions I can't answer yet. I'll get to see recently acquired James Hudson III on the practice field this week after he got claimed. I'm curious to see how long it takes him to get up to speed. Since he has more experience, could he move ahead of BCD? The team likes rookie Pat Coogan, but do they like him more than Slater at the start? I suspect Slater's experience gives him the edge, but don't know for sure yet. And, of course, Garrett Dellinger is in the mix, as is guard Drew Moss, despite him being on the practice squad. The first inactives list will tell us a lot.
George Steiner from Ridgeland, Mississippi
Question: Haven't said anything in a while Jim, so I wanted to catch up on the Titans free agency and draft. I loved everything Borgonzi did… except for the complete lack of quality offensive linemen. I think it is likely worse than it was last year, and we all know it was awful last year. No surefire starters were added. It's really hard for a young quarterback to succeed behind a dismal oline, so I think that will hold the Titans back from being a playoff team. However, since you're obviously with the team, you would know better than me. Do you think the Titans offensive line is their fatal flaw?
Jim: Hi George. Well, I'm more optimistic about this group than it sounds like you are, but I admit, I need to see it for myself. I think JC Latham had a really good offseason, along with Peter Skoronski. Dan Moore Jr. has looked better to me as well. But starting center Austin Schlottmann is going to have to prove the GM and the coaches right, and rookie Fernando Carmona is going to have to mature on the job. This group will be tested, and the first exam is on Sunday at noon. We're about to see how things might look.
Bernie Medvie from Miami, Florida
Question: Hi Jim: another submission about X. You said in the last mailbag that X was not done dirty by the Titans based on your question of who the Titans of the 5 receivers should have been released instead of X, but you know that is, with all due respect, not intellectually honest and not the question. The Titans can keep 6 receivers, and initially did, and not keep some third or 4th string player at some other position. And if you watch any of the Titans podcasts they identified several players who X is better and more valuable than. The reason the Titans fans felt so betrayed is because everyone knows X is a fan favorite and how good the fanbase felt that he earned his place on the 53, only for it to be ripped from him the next day. There were numerous articles written, when he made the team, about how this was the new Titans and how hard work and performance were rewarded. But then we reverted the next day to all of that good will being reversed. X makes plays and can help win games. That is what should be rewarded in the NFL and hopefully will by these Titans as the season progresses. With back to back 3 win seasons, guys like X who can actually make plays and win games when a single play can make a difference at crunch time is so much more valuable than a 4th string someone at some other position. Everyone except the Titans coaches seem to know that.
Jim: Hi Bernie. I will answer this the same way I did over the weekend: Xavier was not done dirty. This is the NFL, and tough decisions are made like this routinely. Xavier had a great camp, and everyone around here likes him. I watch practice every day, so I don't need to hear the opinions of podcasters, or YouTubers. If you noticed, I didn't write an article highlighting him making the initial 53-man roster because I've been around long enough to know what happened to him – and the four other guys who were waived when the team made waiver claims – can happen. Yes, the Titans could have kept six receivers on the 53-man roster, but the GM decided a player at another position was more valuable heading into Week 1. This could change during the course of the season, and injuries could impact things as well. I can guarantee you Xavier will keep working and put himself in a position to be successful when his time comes. I talked to him during camp and he said his mantra is "Stay ready so you don't have to get ready." One thing I can guarantee you: He's not pouting and complaining he was done dirty.
James Ball from Fayetteville, North Carolina
Question: Hello Jim. Just 1 question: Where is Brian Daboll going to call plays from this season....TITAN UP JIM GOING TO BE A GREAT SEASON.
Jim: Hey James. Daboll was in the coaching booth during the preseason, and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney was on the sideline. I anticipate that staying the same during the regular season.
Richard Robles from Springfield, Tennessee
Question: Hi, I hope the Titans will have an undefeated season to win all games. I think that this Titans roster is the greatest roster of all time! Thank you, Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Richard. Now these are some high expectations, and this is some high praise.
Mitch Wilson from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Jim, I'm happy that Hendon Hooker is a Titan. Very surprised with his limited playing time during the pre-season that they kept him over Levis unless Levis told them he wanted to go Tennessee has a horrible record of developing and taking care of QBs. Levis and Ward are virtually identical when you look at strengths and weaknesses with one exception. Ward made it through the season without getting hurt. I think Levis played better and started faster than Ward through his fist season as a starter. I would say the same about this preseason. He has definitely performed better when it comes to protecting the ball. If Levis gets picked up by a team that actually develops QBs and helps them realize their potential, leaving the Titans will be the best thing that ever happened to him. If not, he'll join the long list of QBs whose career was destroyed by coming to Tennessee. Here's my questions. Was Levis released to avoid a QB controversy? If Ward flops again this year behind a much improved O-line, will the Titans draft anther QB? If they draft Manning or a top three QB, will he pull a John Elway and refuse to play for them? Elway had baseball as a backup. Most will want or need the $$$$$$. At this point, Tn would be the last place I would want to go as a QB. If I were a QB coming to TN, I would have to have a few guarantees in my contract: 1. $ Bonus if the Titans O-line does not perform as a top ten O-line. 2. Right to walk at any time, if the Titans don't make protecting/developing the QB the top priority.
Jim: Hey Mitch. Not sure what you mean about Levis being released to avoid controversy. He was clearly behind Mitchell Trubisky, the team's back-up, and it was really never in doubt. I think a change of scenery, assuming he gets a chance somewhere, will do Levis good. As for speculation on next year's draft, I'm not going there on September 8.
Nathaniel Seibert from Pawpaw, Michigan
Question: Hi Jim I am from a town that has A very big group of Lions fans they always talk trash about my favorite team the Titans! So, I was wondering if there was a way for the Titians to beat the Lions this season what would that have to do to overpower and beat them. Also, I just joined a fantasy league what Titans players might be good to draft. Thanks, and go Titans!!
Jim: Hey Nathaniel. You're talking about a Week 14 game! Now that's looking ahead. Ask me in December on this one and we'll see how things are looking for both teams. As for fantasy football advice, I think Wan'Dale Robinson is going to catch a lot of passes.
Cheyenne Brigance from Arlington, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Finally, time for some real football !!!! With this being the final season in the old stadium, it would be fitting if the Titans repeat how it started and go undefeated !!!!!! I know its wishful thinking buy hey anything's possible. Thanks for the all that you do for all us fans! TITAN UP!!!!!!
Jim: Hi Cheyenne. I like the spirit!
Have a great week everyone!
