NASHVILLE – The Titans picked up their second win of the season last Sunday.
Now, the franchise will attempt to do something it hasn't done since the 2022 season – win two games in a row.
We'll travel to California to face the 49ers to find out.
While we wait to kick off another game, let's dive into this weekend's Titans mailbag.
Here we go…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! I just wanted to give a shoutout to my all-time favorite Titan, Jeffery Simmons.
Other than being an otherworldly talent, he's been everything to this community.
I've worked at Hunters Lane High School in Nashville for the past 14 years, and I can't remember a time when our school has been as energized by a visitor as it was this week when Big Jeff came to see us.
Through his Give Em a Reason Foundation, Jeff made a sizeable donation to our girls flag football team and spoke to our students about a variety of topics including leadership, resiliency, and creating habits to control what is controllable.
He stayed to answer every question, signed autographs for our students, and helped give everyone a sense of calm and optimism. It made me incredibly proud to be a Titans fan, Big Jeff fan, and member of this community.
Jeff is the real deal and deserves the Walter Payton Man of the Year award leaguewide.
To Mike and Chad--Extend this guy now. He deserves another top-tier contract and should never, ever wear another team's jersey.
Jim: This is great, Joe. Jeff does a ton of stuff in the community, a lot of stuff people don't know about. Thanks for sharing this story. A little Jim Wyatt trivia: I dated a girl who went to Hunters Lane way back in the day. I married a girl who went to Father Ryan.
Mike Dougher from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Question: After all the chatter about the Titans possibly drafting Abdul Carter in the '25 draft, have you heard any dialogue about what a bust he's been in NY? I can only imagine what people would be saying if he had landed with the Titans and been another "lack of effort" type of player. We appreciate your work Jim.
Jim: Hey Mike. I've definitely paid attention to what's been going on with Carter, and I followed Travis Hunter's season in Jacksonville before he got hurt. I still hear from a lot of folks who think the team should have traded 1 for a haul of picks, and we're not going to know until years from now whether the team made the right move in the 2025 draft or not. But the other guys who went in the top three certainly haven't gotten off to a great start.
Jefferson Pendergrass from Rainsville, Alabama
Question: Hi Jim. I am still riding the high from the Titans' second win of the season. I am so elated that the Titans won another game. So what if we don't get the highest pick in the draft or get to trade-back for additional draft picks (that is yet to be determined), as long as we make good selections with the draft picks we do have?! The Titans have proved that you can botch a 1st round draft pick as evidenced by their respective 1st-round draft picks for 2020, 2021, and 2022 (Isaiah Wilson, Caleb Farley, and Treylon Burks). I personally feel that Mike Borgonzi did a very good job with his first draft class for the Titans. Cam Ward, Kevin Winston, Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm, Elic Ayomanor, and Marcus Harris are all having very good seasons.
Also, I want to offer a couple of praises and perspectives about Cam Ward. First, I think it is a good thing that Cam Ward has got to be the starting quarterback right out-of-the-gate as a rookie and get all of this invaluable in-game experience. I believe that will pay much quicker dividends than if he had to sit behind a veteran bridge quarterback.
Second, I want to praise Cam Ward for one of the best abilities in professional football which is AVAILABILITY. Not all quarterbacks veterans, journeymen, or rookies can stay healthy and be available for 13 games in a row!
Anyway, that is my take about these things.
Jim: Thanks for weighing in Jefferson.
Jeff Harris from Smyrna, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim. I'm a PSL Founding member and have been to 95% of the home games over the last 26 years.
The last 3 years have been very frustrating for us Titans fan. I believe the 2014 and 2015 seasons are the closest thing to the state we are in now.
I realize bad drafting results and poor free agent acquisitions have put us in this state from 2020 to 2024. The 2025 draft was excellent.
It really annoys me to hear the crazy feedback you receive downgrading the franchise. We have had some good runs over the last 26 years.
If you can do an article showing how other NFL franchises have struggled for a lot more years than we have. Maybe the information will help educate our complaining fans how fortunate we have been and make them aware this current run is nowhere near as bad as as other NFL teams.
Thanks for the insight you provide on our Titans.
Jim: Hey Jeff. I know the team appreciates your support, and loyalty. It's been a tough 3-4 years, there's no doubt about it. As I mentioned earlier, the team hasn't won back-to-back games since 2022, and has won just five of its last 30 games. It's been bad. But you're right, some franchises have had it worse – and it hasn't been that long since this franchise was competing with the best of them. I know it seems like an eternity ago now, but the Titans had the No.1 seed in the AFC in 2021. It was in the AFC title game in 2019. The Titans went to the playoffs four times in five years from 2017-2021. Since you've been a fan, the team has been to three conference championships and a Super Bowl. There are a lot of franchises who have never seen that kind of success. Yeah, it's tough now. A lot of folks have abandoned the team. But when this thing turns – and I believe it eventually will – you'll know you stuck with the team when things weren't fun, and it wasn't cool to be a Titans fan. Not everyone will be able to say that.
Jason Rodehaver from Greenfield, Tennessee
Question: I have been saying this for a while, and last night's game between the Chargers and Eagles confirmed it. We need to be looking at Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. That dude can coach. I am also a Michigan fan so I might be a bit biased because he was the defensive coordinator when they won the natty. He transformed the defense, and he is doing the same thing with the Chargers. I know the sexy pick is an offensive guy, but some things never change, defense wins championships. Come on Titans let's do this and hire this guy.
Jim: Thanks for weighing in, Jason.
Chris "The Raspberry" from Bottineau, North Dakota
Question: Howdy Jim!! I know this season isn't over but just watching another game and possibly hearing that Mike Tomlin's run as HC of the Steelers could come to an end, I believe he would be a great fit to get the Titans to the next level. Your thoughts?!
Jim: I think Mike Tomlin is a really good coach, and he's had a great run in Pittsburgh. I don't know what is status is there moving forward, so I'm not going to speculate. I am curious: How did you get the nickname Raspberry?
Mark Blanton from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: As a long time Titans fan I just want to know who to complain to at Fox network because apparently they don't think Memphis is part of Tennessee. They keep switching games on Sunday and show Titans just about anywhere in TN but Memphis lately. I know this season is bad but I still like watching my team play. Hopefully Cam keeps improving and we get some more playmaker around him this off season. Rant over, GO TITANS!!!
Jim: Appreciate ya, Mark!
Anthony Anthamatten from Panama City, Florida
Question: It has been a tough season. What I appreciate is how the team has stuck together and not given up. Nobody wants to be on the losing end of things. I don't mind being a fan of a losing team. We have a lot of amazing athletes and great characters in our players, coaches, and staff. I was Interested to hear your perspective since you are around them often? Thank you for your thoughtful writing. Happy holidays.
Jim: I agree, Anthony. Guys are still fighting, and they're playing hard. I think what we saw last Sunday in Cleveland proved it. Sure, there are going to be games, like the 25-3 loss to the Jaguars, where fans watch and say the team has quit, or they've mailed it in. Some weeks the team has been outschemed or outplayed or had a bad matchup, and it's an ugly loss. And, in the case of this year's team, some weeks the team has lost because it's just not very good, and the other team is superior. But guys are playing hard, and they want to win. If the Titans lose this Sunday against the 49ers, it's not going to be because the guys didn't want to win.
Bear Butler from Somerville, Tennessee
Question: Not a question but a statement. This weekend the Titans game will be on Fox and will Not be on in this part of TN. Of the past 5 games including this weekend 4 have or will be on Fox and they aren't showing the Titans in this area. This will make a full month of this season not being able to watch the Titans in TENNESSEE!!! This is pure BULLSH#T!!!
Jim: I don't blame you for being ticked, Bear.
Eric Goodson from Greenville, California
Question: I will be at Levi's Stadium to watch the Titans this week end been a Northern California Titan fan since they left Houston would love to get an autograph from my Titans. I will wear my McNair jersey, any way Simmons would sign it???
Jim: Hey Eric. I can't make any promises here. Just jump up and down and try to make a lot of noise and maybe Big Jeff will see you…
J Moon from Tarzana, California
Question: My Titan fandom began the moment I watched a last play 75 yard TD and on to a SB. I'm not old enough to remember the Oilers days.
My question surrounds the GM position as a whole but specifically draft preparation. We've had 3 now in the not so distant past and it's pretty well known the only way out the franchise's mess is strong draft results. What are the biggest differences you've seen in the 3x GM's approaches? I'll give it to The Borg, strong draft this first year (what's up with Femi though - how were you seeing him before the injury)?
J.Rob: It seemed he thought he was the wispier to dudes with red flags and hit on a few and it became his whole draft identity. The fact Chig is the only active member of the team from the 2022 draft class is wild. Had to be let go - you can't do that and expect to keep a job. To his credit, 2019 was a master class - just fumbled the best 2 piece you coulda asked for at 1 and 2. 🍗🍗
Carthon: What a whiff and unserious decision from up top bringing him on and it lasted 2 years too long. Was the thought process TEN was a contending team at 6-11 the prior year with an unproven 2nd round QB (no one thought he was Hurts). The crazy deals to older vets 🤦♂️ Ridley & Sneed contracts 🫣 The worst thing honestly is seeing him on TV.. his hypothetical Titans draft situation… watch it. Hadda fire that guy!
Which leads us to the Borg. With an amazingly difficult path in front of him - gotta get a HC, hit again in the draft, and create a new identity for this team (all while driving past a 2B stadium everyday). What makes his process different during his draft season vs the other 2?
My selfish hope is TEN trades back from one of the top spots and grabs J. Love after getting a haul for that pick. Watching Eddie George, CJ2k, and The 👑.. I hope we get back to running rock. Cam is going to be good - get him some weapons and maybe we can get back to 75 yard TDs to end games.
Jim: Hey J. Personally, I like both Jon and Ran, great guys. I think Jon gets a bad rap when people look back at his days as GM. Jon was largely responsible for changing the culture and fortunes of this franchise when he took over. It meant a ton to him, he busted his rear end to get things fixed, and he made some really good decisions and acquisitions. Yes, he whiffed on some draft picks. And yes, the A.J. Brown trade was on his watch. Some of those decisions will be attached to him forever. But, in my opinion, he gets more criticism than he deserves. As for Mike Borgonzi, he reminds me a lot of Jon with his work ethic and his approach. He is all about football, and is all about making the franchise better. And, his first draft class sure looks like a good one. Now, it's largely going to be up to him to make the hire at head coach. I have complete confidence that he's going to get this franchise back on track.
Edward McKinney from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim! During the Browns vs Titans game, I noticed the O-line was blocking better, communicating better, and the center and guards were pulling well. M. Garrett, the Browns DE, probably had his worst statistical game all year. So here is my question: Have the Titans front office explained why the O-line performs much better when Corey Levin is playing center?
Jim: Hey Edward. I'm not going to give Levin credit for how the team limited Garrett's effectiveness against them – there were a lot of factors. I will say Corey has done a really nice job over the past few weeks. There's a reason he's been in the league for so long. Based on injuries on the o-line, there's a chance he's in the starting lineup on Sunday, this time at guard. Stay tuned.
Have a great weekend everyone!
