The Titans have already given fans a handful of early clues in preseason, and the second test against the Seahawks on Aug. 23 should sharpen the picture a little more. After the opener, four names stand out for very different reasons: one veteran cornerback who needs a response, one rookie lineman who looked ready, one running back flashing speed, and one franchise quarterback who has to clean things up fast.
Cor'Dale Flott is the clearest concern. Tennessee handed him a $45 million check on a three-year deal this offseason, but his first preseason outing did not look like the start the Titans wanted.
He had a hard time slowing down the 49ers’ reserves, and rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling beat him repeatedly on the way to seven catches. Flott is supposed to be a key piece next to Alontae Taylor, and he needs a much cleaner showing against Seattle.
If the struggles continue, the conversation around him could turn ugly in a hurry.
On the other side of the ball, rookie guard Fernando Carmona may have already answered a big offseason question for Tennessee. He looked comfortable from the jump against San Francisco and helped clear the way for a 167-yard rushing day.
His start at right guard caught people off guard, but the performance suggested the Titans knew exactly what they had. Paired with a solid outing from JC Latham, Carmona’s development could end up being one of the most encouraging storylines on the offensive line.
Tyjae Spears also made his case in a big way. He looked healthy, explosive, and fully at home in Brian Daboll's offense.
After Tony Pollard opened the game with a touchdown, Spears took over as the Titans’ most efficient back. He finished with 35 yards on four carries, including a 25-yard burst that showed exactly why his role is expected to grow.
Tennessee still has plenty to sort out in the backfield, but another strong game from Spears would only strengthen the idea that he’s been the answer from the start.
Then there’s Ward, who lands on this list for both obvious and uneasy reasons. He’s Tennessee’s franchise player and showed elite flashes last season, but his preseason debut was rough.
He went 5 of 12 and never looked fully comfortable, with the kind of inaccurate, out-of-sync performance that raises eyebrows. One bad preseason game doesn’t define anything, but if Ward keeps looking this way in the revamped offense, the scrutiny will only grow.
For now, he’s not facing any real heat. A few more outings like that one, though, and no Titans player will be watched more closely.
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Cam Wards first preseason outing in a Titans uniform gave Tennessee an early look at both the promise and the rough edges that come with a young quarterback in a rebuilding setting. In his debut against NFL competition in 2026, Ward moved the ball without turning it over, but the offense never really found a rhythm, and the performance left the staff with a clearer picture of where the rookie is starting from.
Robert Saleh pointed to the encouraging part first, saying Ward generally made the right decisions, but he also flagged the areas the quarterback has been working on all offseason. Mechanics and timing remain the biggest concerns, and while the Titans have the patience to let him grow, those issues are going to be watched closely as he gets more reps and tries to settle in. [Read more 🡒]
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Tony Pollard has spent the past two seasons as Tennessees lead running back, and he still looked sharp in the preseason opener. Even so, the Titans backfield no longer feels quite as settled as it did a few weeks ago, with the roster beginning to reflect a team that is thinking beyond the present and toward its next wave of runners.
Pollard is in the final year of his contract, which only adds to the uncertainty around his role moving forward. Tennessee appears to be laying the groundwork for a transition to younger players in the seasons ahead, and the competition for touches is only going to make that conversation louder as camp unfolds. [Read more 🡒]