With the Tennessee Titans just four days from their season opener against the New York Jets, head coach Saleh spent his time at the podium making one thing clear: this is no throwaway Week 1 matchup.
The Titans are staring at a home opener that carries plenty of weight for a new regime, and Saleh didn’t sound interested in treating the Jets like an easy mark. He spoke highly of Aaron Glenn’s team and said he expects a real test on Sunday.
A big part of that caution came from how different New York’s offense looks now. Saleh pointed to the Jets having a new coordinator in Frank Reich and a new quarterback in Geno Smith, and he wasn’t buying the idea that this is a soft spot on Tennessee’s schedule.
At the same time, he made it obvious the Titans know what’s at stake for them early in the year. After saying the team is going to "attack the heck out of these next three days" in its Week 1 prep, Saleh stressed how valuable a fast start can be.
"I would speak for all 32 teams that winning Week 1, starting fast, is always good," Saleh added, continuing, "you never know... You win a couple early, starting getting momentum, start getting confidence with a young group, who knows where it goes?"
That message matters for a roster trying to show real progress after an eventful offseason. A loss in Week 1 wouldn’t sink the season, but with tougher games and divisional road trips ahead, Tennessee would rather begin with a statement than scramble to catch up later.
Saleh also gave an update on linebacker Cedric Gray, who was in a UTV accident earlier this week and has been working through concussion protocol. He said Gray "has a chance to clear" protocol before Sunday, though he added, "We'll know more towards the end of the weekend on his availability," before noting that a lot of his players are "still kids."
Gray is reportedly apologetic and frustrated with himself about the situation, and his status remains one of the bigger injury storylines heading into kickoff.
Saleh also addressed the trench battle, tying the tone of the game to what happens up front. He said, "All organizations go by their o-line and d-line," and added, "The expectation for our o-line is no different than anyone else."
That point also carried a little edge. Starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. was kicked out of Tennessee’s joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this offseason, along with recently cut Titans offensive tackle Austin Deculus. Saleh said, "If you enjoy playing with the guy next to you, you're gonna defend him," when asked about the potential for scrums involving the offensive line.
For a team trying to establish itself under a new staff, Sunday offers a chance to show more than just energy. The Titans want a clean start, a steady front, and, as Saleh made clear, a readiness for whatever the Jets bring to Nashville.
In Other News...
Titans Secondary Just Got A Late Addition Worth Watching Closely
The Titans added a familiar face to their secondary just before the season opener, signing cornerback Jaylon Jones as they continue fine-tuning the roster ahead of a visit from the New York Jets. Jones arrives with real AFC South experience after spending two years as a starter with the Indianapolis Colts, and his path back to Tennessee includes a reunion with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, under whom he had his best NFL season.
Jones takes the spot of Melvin Smith Jr., who was released, and the move gives Tennessee another veteran option at corner as the opener approaches. For now, the expectation is straightforward: help with depth, contribute on special teams, and give Bradley another piece he knows well in a secondary that still looks to be taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Face An Early Week 1 Linebacker Test Nobody Wanted
Cedric Grays status has quickly become one of the more uncomfortable early-week storylines for the Titans, with the linebacker in concussion protocol after a UTV accident and listed as questionable for the upcoming game. For a defense trying to settle in around a new coaching staff, losing a player viewed as one of its leading linebackers would be a reminder that Week 1 can turn on depth just as much as it does on game plans.
Robert Saleh and the Titans may have to lean on James Williams and Anthony Hill if Gray cannot go, and both young linebackers would be stepping into a meaningful early opportunity. How Tennessee handles that spot will say plenty about where the defense stands right now, because the answer is not just about replacing one player but about how quickly the next man up can absorb the job without losing the middle of the field. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Ward Faces The First Real Test Of The Titans Rebuild
Cam Ward enters his second season with the kind of attention that comes with being the face of a rebuild, and the Titans are asking for more than flashes. After a rookie year that gave Tennessee a baseline to measure from, the next step is about consistency, command and whether the offense can start looking like something more stable under Robert Salehs watch. The preseason only sharpened the curiosity around Ward, because now the real games begin and the expectations rise with them.
Sundays home opener against the Jets should tell Tennessee a lot about where Ward is in that process. It is one thing to show growth in camp and preseason settings, but a regular-season test at home will reveal how he handles pressure, how far the supporting cast has come and whether the Titans offense is ready to give the rebuild some traction. For a team trying to find its footing, the early returns on Ward could shape the whole conversation. [Read more 🡒]