Training camp is almost here for the Titans, and the first real question hanging over Tennessee is simple: how much better can this team be in 2026?
Veterans report to Vanderbilt Health Football Center on Tuesday, with the first practice set for Wednesday. And after four straight losing seasons since the Titans were the AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2021 - including back-to-back three-win years - there’s real optimism that this group can finally start turning the corner.
Robert Saleh is in charge now, backed by an experienced staff. Cam Ward is entering Year 2.
The roster has a wave of new starters on both sides of the ball. So with camp about to open, here’s a game-by-game prediction for what Tennessee’s season could look like.
The opener against the Jets feels like one of the most intriguing season debuts the Titans have had in a while. Chris Johnson is set to be inducted into the Ring of Honor, Saleh will face the team he coached for three and a half years, and Tennessee gets to introduce its new look at home. The Jets have plenty of holes, and that gives the Titans a chance to open with a win.
That momentum doesn’t last long. The Eagles are still one of the NFC’s top contenders even after losing A.J.
Brown, and Tennessee’s youth and newness catch up with them in Week 2. The Titans should keep it competitive, but Philadelphia’s continuity gets the job done.
From there, Tennessee finds a road win against the Giants in a game that looks close on paper. The difference, in this prediction, is the Titans’ deep defensive line making Jaxson Dart uncomfortable enough to tilt the game Tennessee’s way.
Baltimore is a tougher ask. The Ravens are expected to bounce back under new head coach Jesse Minter, and their defense has the look of a top-tier unit. The Titans might make it interesting, but winning there early in the year is a big challenge.
The AFC South is where things really start to sort themselves out. Houston swept Tennessee last season, and the prediction here doesn’t call for a reversal.
The Texans still look dangerous on defense, and if their offense stays healthy, they could be dynamic too. Tennessee plays them closer, but still drops both games.
Indianapolis is a different story. The Colts beat the Titans twice in 2025, but that doesn’t carry over here.
Tennessee’s front seven should cause problems for the Colts all year, and the Titans’ offense should find enough success against an Indianapolis defense with some holes. That sets up a split in the season series.
After three straight losses, Tennessee gets back on track against the Browns. Cleveland is described here as being clearly in rebuild mode, and the Titans should control that one.
The Bengals game is one of the more interesting swings on the schedule. Cincinnati’s secondary is a major weakness, and the offensive line still has issues. That opens the door for Tennessee to pull off what many would call an upset.
Jacksonville also ends up split. The Jaguars are expected to be in the playoff mix again in 2026, but there are concerns at left tackle and linebacker.
Even so, Liam Coen is viewed as an ascending head coach, and the passing game should be very effective. Tennessee takes one of those games at home.
Dallas is another tough matchup. The Cowboys are expected to make noise and possibly get back to the playoffs, with the offense poised to be one of the league’s most exciting groups and the defense improved under Christian Parker, along with additions of Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, and Dee Winters. Tennessee can hang around, but not enough to win on the road.
The Commanders are another team the Titans can take advantage of. The concern there is the lack of weapons around Jayden Daniels, with Terry McLaurin unable to carry the load alone. The secondary could also give up explosive plays, and by that point in the season Tennessee’s offense should be in rhythm.
Detroit is a different level. The Lions missed the playoffs in 2025, but this prediction expects them back in the mix, especially if Jared Goff keeps playing like he did last year. With proven playmakers all over the offense and a defense that could get after the quarterback, the Lions are too much for Tennessee.
Las Vegas is a game the Titans should win, even with Maxx Crosby capable of wrecking everything by himself. Fernando Mendoza is expected to be under center for the Raiders by then, and Tennessee is still the better overall team.
Pittsburgh is another toss-up, but the edge goes to the Steelers because of their pass rush. T.J.
Watt, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith are all capable of causing problems, and Tennessee’s tackle situation isn’t trusted enough to handle that kind of pressure. The Titans’ defense keeps it close, but Pittsburgh gets the win.
There’s one final note attached to the Texans game: if Houston has nothing to play for, Tennessee could steal it. But assuming the Texans are still motivated, they finish the job.
In the end, the prediction has the Titans missing the playoffs for a fifth straight year. Still, an 8-9 finish would count as a real step forward in Tennessee - the kind of season that suggests brighter days are finally coming.
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Titans Make Early Tackle Move As Familiar Camp Concern Grows
Training camp opened this week with veterans reporting Tuesday and the first practice set for Wednesday, and the Titans wasted little time making a depth move up front. Tennessee placed offensive tackle JC Latham and safety Amani Hooker on the Physically Unable to Perform list, then added tackle Zachary Thomas while waiving Ryan Hayes, a sign the early days of camp are already being shaped by availability along the offensive line.
Thomas arrives with some NFL mileage as a 2022 sixth-round pick who has bounced around multiple teams and appeared in 17 career games, giving Tennessee another body to sort through while the tackle picture settles. Even so, the move only underscores how much work remains at the position, especially with Latham sidelined and the club still trying to find the right mix behind him before the real camp battles begin. [Read more 🡒]
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Still, one recent forecast from Jarrett Bailey of SBNation is asking fans to think bigger than a simple rebound. The prediction has Tennessee reaching the playoffs in 2026 and even landing the final AFC seed, a projection built around the kind of young talent and added depth the Titans hope will finally make the rebuild matter. For now, it is only a projection, but it is the sort of one that gets attention in a market hungry for signs the turnaround is real. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Draft Class Already Facing A Defining Camp Reckoning
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Wards late-season surge gave Tennessee a real reason to believe the quarterback position is stabilizing, while Winston looks like he could settle into a starting safety job if he stays healthy. Elsewhere, the picture is less settled, with players such as Oladejo, Elic Ayomanor, Gunnar Helm, Chimere Dike and Marcus Harris all facing their own versions of camp pressure, whether that means winning a starting job, carving out a bigger offensive role or simply holding off the pack long enough to make the roster feel a little more secure. [Read more 🡒]