With defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh taking over the program and veteran offensive coordinator Brian Daboll arriving to shepherd quarterback Cam Ward in his sophomore year, the Tennessee Titans are aiming to prove that its painful baseline rebuild is finally giving way to a competitive new era in the AFC South.
Last Year
The Titans endured a brutal 2025 campaign, stumbling to a 3–14 finish and landing near the bottom of the league in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Rookie starter Cam Ward showed occasional dynamic flashes under pressure, while Tony Pollard provided steady work out of the backfield with a 1,082-yard rushing season. In fairness, the NFL didn’t do them many favors, giving them a really tough schedule even after a bad year. Ultimately, the lack of success on both sides of the ball led to the mid-season exit of Brian Callahan.
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh speaks with the media before the Titans rookie camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 1, 2026. (DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Offseason additions and subtractions
To reset the organization, general manager Mike Borgonzi orchestrated a sweeping offseason overhaul.
The headline moves started at the top by hiring former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh as head coach and bringing in Brian Daboll to call plays. The problem I have is that neither has really proven successful with rebuilding teams – maybe Daboll more than Saleh.
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I do like teams that are intentional about upgrading areas. When you have a lot of areas to upgrade, there are only so many areas you can really make an impact. They signed former New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Daniel Bellinger, added edge rusher John Franklin-Myers and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, and bolstered the secondary with cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott alongside safety Tony Adams.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) walks off the field after the team’s loss in an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
They also brought in veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky as high-end insurance. In the draft, Tennessee made massive moves by taking wideout Carnell Tate at No. 4 overall and trading back into the first round for pass rusher Keldric Faulk. Major subtractions included letting lingering free agents walk and restructuring line depth to accommodate their fresh rookie class.
Roster
The offense features a far more dynamic receiving corps with rookie Carnell Tate on the perimeter alongside Wan’Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley, providing Ward with the quick-separation weapons he lacked as a rookie. Their line isn’t exactly top-notch, coming in at 29th for the year, but I do think there is potential they are better than they are graded at currently.
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Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward throws during the second half an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Betting Outlook
If you plan to bet the over 6.5 wins for Tennessee, I think you attribute it to the improved weapons for Ward, the tough schedule from last season that still saw them get three wins, and the new coaching staff. If you want the under, it is looking at an offensive line that is ranked at 29th, and a defensive line ranked at 17th. The Texans have a great defense, but there are questions on that roster as well. The Colts have a quarterback coming back from an Achilles tear, and the Jaguars lost some key pieces. I have them right at six wins this year, which improves from last year, but I don’t think I can bet one way or another on them.
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