The Tennessee Titans are heading into the 2026 regular season with a roster that looks a lot different than it did a year ago, and there’s real reason to think a few names could pop in a big way. With Week 1 against the New York Jets less than two weeks away, the 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad are set, and this young group is trying to turn a promising reset into actual production.
Tennessee is leaning heavily on rookie and sophomore starters on offense, while the defense has been remade this offseason under head coach Robert Saleh. The Titans believe they’re moving in the right direction, and there are several players who fit the profile of a breakout waiting to happen.
Elic Ayomanor is one of the most interesting ones. No Titans player had a bigger training camp, according to the source, than the sophomore receiver, who returned to Nashville looking like a different player.
Ayomanor brought a more aggressive mindset and a sharper edge to his approach, and he carried himself with noticeably more confidence. Even with Tennessee deep at wideout, he has forced his way into the mix and could even take snaps from Calvin Ridley.
On the edge, Jacob Martin is positioned for a bigger role than many outside the building may expect. Veterans Jermaine Johnson II and Martin are set to handle most of the snaps at defensive end, with rookie Keldric Faulk and sophomore Femi Oladejo rotating behind them.
Martin quietly turned in a strong season for the Washington Commanders last year, piling up 45 pressures and a career-high 5.5 sacks. He also already knows Coach Saleh’s defense, which should help him settle into an attack-minded setup.
Gunnar Helm looks ready to become a featured part of the passing game at tight end. The Titans made that pretty clear by letting Chig Okonkwo walk in free agency, even after signing Daniel Bellinger to a multi-year deal worth $8 million per season. Bellinger brings experience from Brian Daboll’s offense, but Helm is still expected to be the main pass-catching threat at the position.
Tyjae Spears rounds out the group, and his season feels especially important. He’s in his fourth year with Tennessee and entering what the source describes as a critical, fate-deciding contract season.
Injuries have hampered the last two years, limiting his availability and his impact. This offseason, though, Spears has been healthy and has consistently made plays for Daboll’s offense dating back to OTAs.
With the Titans expected to feature their running backs heavily in the passing game, his athleticism in space could make him one of the more dangerous pieces on the roster.
In Other News...
Will Levis' NFL Return Chance Emerges After Messy Titans Exit
Will Levis is already on the move after his release from Tennessee, landing a workout with the Jets as they sort through their quarterback depth. New York is weighing additions to the practice squad, and head coach Aaron Glenn said the team is looking at options that include veteran quarterbacks, a sign the door is at least cracked open for Levis to find a quick landing spot.
The visit also puts Levis back in a familiar competition, this time alongside Jack Plummer for backup duty behind Cade Klubnik, who was named the Jets backup quarterback. For a player whose Titans exit ended messy, the next chapter could come quickly, but the path back into an NFL building still depends on whether New York decides he fits what it needs right now. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Just Turned A Cam Ward Critic Into A Bigger Debate
The Titans have found themselves in the middle of an unnecessary side story around Cam Ward, and it has quickly become bigger than one preseason comment. Jared Stillman, who publicly said Ward's exhibition performance was "not well" during a press conference exchange, had his media credentials revoked by the team, creating an immediate buzz around how the organization is handling outside criticism of its rookie quarterback.
For Tennessee, the timing matters because every note about Ward now gets filtered through both football and optics. The team has not offered an official explanation for the credential decision, leaving the move to speak for itself and inviting a broader debate about where fair criticism ends and access starts. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Offensive Line Might Not Be The Problem Fans Expected
The Titans spent the offseason reshaping an offensive line that had plenty of familiar names but not enough certainty. Out went veteran pieces Lloyd Cushenberry and Kevin Zeitler, and in came a fresh coaching voice in Carmen Bricillo, along with Austin Schlottmann, who quickly settled in as the starting center. Add in rookie Fernando Carmona winning the right guard job, and Tennessee suddenly has a front that looks a lot different from the one it handed off in the spring.
What stands out now is not just the turnover, but the continuity the group has been able to build in practice. The line has logged significant time together, which matters for a unit trying to sort out communication and chemistry before the games start piling up. For a team that entered the offseason expecting offensive line to be a major concern, the early signs suggest that may not be the biggest problem after all. [Read more 🡒]