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4 indicators to prove whether Tennessee Titans have actually gotten better We've spent an entire offseason asking questions about the Tennessee Titans.
Now's the time to start figuring out the answers.
The team will reconvene for training camp in the last week of July, kicking off the sprint toward its 2026 NFL season opener against the New York Jets on Sept.
13.
Change is here, with new coach Robert Saleh presiding over a roster that figures to start at least nine newcomers and another three or four second-year players.
Back-to-back 3-14 seasons have a way of grating on returning players, the front office and fans alike, so all of this change is part of the concerted effort to remold the franchise in a new image reflective of Saleh's and general manager Mike Borgonzi's vision.
That makes it a little bit tough to grade preseason progress.
Most players are newcomers, and most returning players are being asked to fill new roles.
So how will anyone be able to recognize if the team is really growing, separate from run-of-the-mill improvements that come from developing along the new system's learning curve? Here's The Tennessean's handy guide for four ways to figure out if the Titans are getting better throughout training camp.
Cam Ward, Titans wide receivers win joint practice 1-on-1's Football is the ultimate team sport.
between the hashes.
In the wide open spaces outside the numbers, it's so often a man-versus-man game.
And the Titans spent a big chunk of the offseason prioritizing the kind of talent and depth needed to win those 1-on-1's.
With Carnell Tate, Wan'Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike and KJ Osborn, the Titans might have their most talented receiver corps since relocating to Nashville in 1998.
The Titans will face San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago in joint practices.
This means reps against top-tier cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon, Jaylon Johnson and Deommodore Lenoir, plus top safeties like Nick Emmanwori.
The offense should usually have the advantage in a one-on-one drill with no live rush, but that's a lot of talent to test the Titans' new-look pass catchers against.
If quarterback Cam Ward is in rhythm with his receivers and his receivers can wiggle free against some of the league's best, that's huge.
What part of Titans' depth chart matters most? How about 2nd-team D-linemen The easiest joke to make in training camp is how no one can ever tell if a good offensive rep means you should feel good about your offense or bad about your defense.
It's an unavoidable problem.
But here's a simple guide for this era of Titans football: Root for the second-string defensive linemen and edge rushers to dominate the backup offensive linemen.
Put the flashbacks about the Titans' terrible offensive line depth of yesteryear aside for a second and listen to the argument.
Saleh rotates defensive linemen at warp speed, and it'll be more necessary than ever to be nine or 10 deep up front.
Meanwhile, if the Titans are ever forced to play their ninth offensive lineman in any game, something's gone horribly, horribly wrong.
Saleh's ninth-best defensive lineman needs to be ready to play 10-20 snaps in Week 1.
His ninth-best O-lineman might not be active for game day.
So root for the second-teamers on D.
It's a necessity.
There's more Titans roster movement at the top than the bottom Signings and releases are inevitable in August.
The Titans are going to sign some veterans for preseason depth and to challenge for spots on the margins.
But let's face it: No team is ever going to contend for a Super Bowl because it made an incremental improvement about who the 51st-best player on the roster is.
Tinkering at the bottom has value, but it's very rare that an August signing is going to truly change a team's outlook.
That said, it's probably a good sign if the Titans find a way to lock down some of their top-of-roster players to long-term deals in the preseason.
Peter Skoronski is the obvious extension candidate, but the Titans can also invest in someone like edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II or linebacker Cedric Gray to show the young players that they'll be rewarded for staying in Nashville.
It doesn't make the Titans better, but it proves the front office is investing in these players rather than any players.
The preseason games should be totally, unrelentingly forgettable No disrespect to the guys fighting for practice squad spots, but if anyone expected to make a difference for the Titans in 2026 does anything remotely notable in a preseason game, that's likely a problem.
Let the starters play a little and get in rhythm, but the more they play, the more it's a sign the coaches need to see something from them.
The less that's asked of them, the more it seems to show Saleh and company have seen what they need to see.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean.
Contact Nick at [email protected].
Follow Nick on X @nicksuss.
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