NASHVILLE â It's here.
Finally.
Well, almost.
The Titans kick off the 2026 season on Sunday against the New York Jets.
Let's dive into one more mailbag before we get started.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Kent Wetzel from Frederick, Maryland
Question: Hi Jim. I see lots of hot takes and hypotheticals on here each week but I feel like many miss the real opportunity available here by asking you to weigh in on something you can actually answer. As someone who has regular access to players, coaches, and sidelines I feel like the right question to ask is what are you seeing that has impressed you thus far. Which players have jumped out, which coaches have their guys ready to go and what might be different this year? All purely your opinion but well worth hearing based on your vantage point to daily Titans football.
Jim: Good question, Kent. Well, I just think the overall feel of the team heading into the season is different. There's a quiet confidence in the building that I haven't sensed in a while, and that's a change after back-to-back 3-14 seasons. And I think a lot of it stems from the fact players believe in the approach, and the coaching staff. It was a tough training camp, and the lead up to the opener has been a grind. I do think this team is going to improve, and believe better days are ahead after what's been a rough stretch. As for individual players and coaches, I'll say Elic Ayomanor on offense and Kevin Winston Jr. on defense are more underrated guys to keep an eye on. And, d-line coach Aaron Whitecotton has been a real motivator, and teacher. We'll start to see how things play out starting on Sunday.
Shawn Alexander from Charlotte, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim how are you and as always Titan up. Who do you think will emerge as our true number one receiver?
Jim: Hey Shawn. I predict Wan'Dale Robinson will lead the team in receptions in 2026, and Carnell Tate will lead the team in receiving yards.
John Cox from Camden, Arkansas
Question: Hello Jim. I'm looking forward to this week's game against the Jets and it 100% is definitely a must win game! If the Titans lose this one, it'll put a big damper on the entire season. My son and I are going to the Cowboys game in Dallas in November. I hope we give em a game!Â
Also, for the gentleman who asked you about Nashville steakhouses, we went to Sperry's Belle Meade last December, the Saturday night before the Saints game. My son and I were very impressed, especially with the Bananas Foster made right there at our table!
Jim: I hear ya, John. It's a big game for sure, but not sure about Must Win games in Week One tbh.
Good call on Sperry's in Belle Meade â that was my dad's favorite restaurant, about a mile down the street from where I grew up, three houses down from St. Henry's school on Harding Road. There's also a Sperry's in Cool Springs â it's where we go to Mother's Day brunch every year for my mother-in-law. Both Sperry's are great spots!
Gregory Smith from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim đđż, Thank you for answering my last mail!!! I was at the Blue & White Scrimmage game at Nissan Stadium for the First time since 2005 when Quarterback Steve McNair's last season as a Titan,what I saw watching The Offense with Quarterback Cameron Ward, New First round pick Receiver Carnell Tate, Free Agents Ran'Dale Robertson,Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomayor, Tight Ends Gunnar Helm along Daniel Bellinger,Running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, I believe it's a better Offensive team despite the O-line is concerned, Protecting & blocking will determined Cam's Progress with decisive making with timing when Completing & finding his weapons or carrying & protect the football Protect himself from injury like the last game in January from 2025,despite the Media,The Haters and The Doubts,despite what happened in Preseason, what they done in Camp,Let's see what happens in Week 1,Carnell Tate gotta be ready when his name is called, JC,Latham, Peter,Fernando, Dan,I believe is a Aggressive Frontline than ever the JC has come into Camp,Practice and said what needs to be said standing up to thier Teammates especially Cam & Ran'Dale, with Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll who is calling the plays that helped Develop Daniel Jones when he Coached the NY Giants and helped Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen becoming one of the best Quarterbacks in the league,with the New System, Scheme I believe in Cam Ward,I he's hard,learning the new Playbook,the first to come in and last to leave to be better. New Head Coach Robert Sallah working with Defensive Coordinator Guss Bradley with the 4-3 with the All-Pro Jeffrey Simmons, Jermaine Johnson,John Franklin-Meyers, First Round Pick Keldric Faulk, Seconnd Round Anthony Hill, Cody Barton,Cedric Grey and rotation & depth Surrounding Jeff to be a Violent Defenses in the league & returning Special Teams & Assistant Head Coach John Fassel w Kicker Joey Sly ,ls Morgan Cox,& Punter Tommy Townsend with all that said with the most Money spent, the draft picks and additional depth if we win on Sunday against the NY Jets it can change majority of the Season. I'm going with 7-10 to 11-6 to make the the Playoffs to leave Old Nissan Stadium in Style if depends on Cam, I see a little Steve McNair in him,I know it's long, I believe in this team for a better future and New Stadium nearly Completing đđż. What do you think Jim? I hoped you're doing well,It's been 9 months I had surgery on my upper neck in mine spine,I missed 7 months from work at Target for 18 years, I been back since May,still doing Outpatient therapy, I'm better than before. First year in 2008 when the Titans won 10 straight games to finished 13-3 eventually losing to the Ravens Playoff game still devastated & hurt me,0-3 as the #1 seed,I want a Playoff berth,win better yet win the AFC South Division over a stacked Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts. Thank you for all you do ,TITAN UP đ !!!!!
Jim: Great history lesson, Gregory, and thanks for the enthusiasm. Sounds like you're on the comeback trail. Let's get this thing going.
Emma Fyfe from Glasgow, ScotlandÂ
Question: A big "awrite" from across the pond!
I'm reading all these questions about Restrepo being done dirty and let down and I'm as confused as I am whenever I spend time on Reddit reading the armchair coaches opinions on him.
Restrepo seems like a great young man with an admirable work ethic and a real drive to improve himself, but at the end of the day he was an UDFA who we have now waived twice before resigning to our practise squad as he cleared waivers. So not only are the Titans "doing X dirty", but all 31 other teams are too, as none of them have hopped on the Restrepo train either when the Titans were foolish enough to waive him.
I don't pretend to be clever about watching tape or clips from training camp (although there have been some great clips this year of all the guys!) so what is it I'm missing that's lighting folk up about Restrepo??
Hoping for a UK game next season!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Emma. Xavier is a fan favorite, just like he was at Miami. He's a great underdog story, and he's a good player. He busts his butt every day, I see it. I just think folks got their hopes up about him being on the 53-man roster, but they're going to have to remain patient, like Xavier.
Wade Gross from Amarillo, Texas
Question: Hi Jim! Thank you for all you do in keeping us informed.
As we migrate to the new stadium next year, I've always wondered, does the sponsor backing the stadium have control over what to call it? In the Titans era, we've gone from "Colisieum" to "Field' to "Stadium" with each new sponsor. It obviously didn't happen, but was there also any discussion with Nissan on a new moniker at the new stadium to distinguish it? Much appreciated!
Jim: This is an interesting question. I do think Nissan Stadium has a better ring to it that Nissan Field, but not sure of the marketing aspect.
Gary Corley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: HERE WE GO!!!! Fresh start new season the wait is over.. I'm heading into this season with great optimism about how far this this team can go I'm not big into predictions but I do feel safe enough to say we will have more wins than a year ago and we will be competitive in all our games this year starting with this dub we get this Sunday⊠Thanks for everything you do Jim and here's to another year TITAN UP!!!!!
Jim: Thanks for chiming in, Gary!
Jeremy Kain from Plattsburgh, New York
Question: Jim, here are my Ten Top Reasons for being excited about our Titans in Week One!
The Long Wait is over: It will be great to see all of the new additions in action in the new uniforms.
A new coaching staff: Although the record didn't quite reflect it, the team seemed to play more freely and motivated after the Callahan Era ended. I can't wait to see what Coach Saleh will have our Defense looking like and what Coach Daboll will do to energize the offense this year.
RB Arsenal: We didn't get Jeremiyah Love, but we do have three guys playing for now and the future with Pollard and Spears working for a new contract, and Singleton looking to be the guy himself.
Offensive Line improvements: It seems that Fernando Carmona could be our answer at guard, Pat Coogan could be the future at Center, and JC Latham appears to be new and improved.
The WR Corps: This is the best group of receivers we have ever had and they are about to be unleashed. In addition to the new weapons, I really liked Ridley restructuring things to stay aboard. I think Gunner Helm will soon be a household name for NFL fans, and I'm pleased we still have Xavier.
Cam 2.0: He now has a plethora of weapons to use and the line looks stronger. Additionally, based on the play calling for Trubisky and Levis in the preseason, I think it is safe to say Cam will get four or five designed run calls a game, and at least one of them will be a big play each Sunday.
A Defense that will turn heads early: I'm not worried about what we saw during the preseason. I think that was a result of not tackling much in practices while learning a new scheme.
Overall Depth: I think we officially have a competitive NFL Roster. For example, possibly losing our leading tackler, Cedric Gray, for the first game should be detrimental to the team. But now we have guys like Anthony Hill Jr. coming off the bench to help.
We open the season with a very winnable game; Sorry Jets Fans.
My family will be making the trip to Nissan Stadium this Sunday!
Jim: I like the Top 10 list, Jeremy. Well done! Safe travels.
Robert Cabral from Tuscon, Arizona
Question: With the Titans announcing their captains, I have to ask: how is Joey Slye not part of that conversation? Slye has proven time and time again that he can be counted on when the team needs points the most, and his 2026 preseason was absolutely incredible; he went a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals, including six from 50+ yards, while also making both of his extra-point attempts. And let's not forget what he did against the Cardinals last season, when he hit the game-winning 29-yard field goal as time expired to give Tennessee the 22â21 comeback victory, his first career game-winning kick and the Titans first WIN of the season. A captain should be someone who consistently delivers under pressure, leads by example, and gives his teammates confidence when the game is on the line. Joey Slye has done exactly that, so why isn't he wearing the "C"?
Jim: Hey Robert. I'm sure Joey was part of the conversation. But it was always going to be hard for someone to get more votes than Morgan Cox, a 17-year pro, a five-time Pro Bowler, and now a four-time captain. Morgan is a consummate pro, one of the best examples I've been around. All the things you said a captain should be, that's exactly what Morgan Cox has been since he's been here. I can think of several guys who would've made great special teams captains, including Joey Slye. But I can't think of a better one than Morgan.
Rodney Dixon from Richmond, California
Question: Hey there Jim! I am totally looking forward to the upcoming season for the Titans. I am hoping that with all of the personnel changes (from coaches to players) that the team will finally get some media respect. I'm so tired of the Titans getting disrespected by the national media, but I get it. RESPECT HAS TO BE EARNED AND THAT STARTS WITH WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES! I love this team and I feel good about what we are about to witness in this upcoming season. TITAN UP!
Jim: Hey Rodney. You're right â the way you get respect is by winning. It's time to start doing more of that around here. Enjoy the game.
Isaiah Stephens from Russell Springs, Kentucky
Question: Yo what's up Jim! Appreciate all you do for the Titans. My question for you is, how many yards do you think Wan'Dale and Carnell end up with this year? I'll predict 950+ for Wan'Dale and 1000+ for Carnell. Thanks Jim!
Jim: Bold predictions, Isaiah! I'll look back at this in January and see how you did.
Have a great weekend everyone!
