The Tennessee Titans are officially one week into training camp. They've held five total practice sessions, with the last two being in padded practices. Themes are beginning to emerge at Titans practice as offseason winners start separating themselves from losers.
The Titans have made several transactions as GM Mike Borgonzi looks to increase the competition at certain positions. Notably, the Titans haven't suffered any notable injuries at camp (knocks on wood). That alone makes camp a resounding success thus far.
Padded practices have added another layer of intensity to training camp. Roles are shifting as the Titans prepare for a joint practice and preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers next weekend. After one week of Titans training camp, these are the early winners and losers.
The first week of training camp is already reshaping Tennessee Titans roster battles
Winner: Cam Ward, QB
Sophomore quarterback Cam Ward looks prepared to take a second-year leap. Despite learning a new system under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, the general sentiment is that Ward is processing quicker and making faster decisions. He's thrown a few overly-aggressive interceptions, so the challenge remains getting him to take his checkdowns with more frequency once real football begins.
Winner: Elic Ayomanor, WR
If we had to single out one resounding winner from Titans camp so far, it would be sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor. The Year Two wideout out of Stanford showed up this offseason having undergone a total transformation. Ayomanor is bigger, stronger, faster, and he's attacking the ball with better confidence. He's legitimately challenging Calvin Ridley for the WR3 role and has made some of camp's most explosive plays.
Loser: Jackson Slater, RG
Sophomore guard Jackson Slater hasn't necessarily been bad. Through one week of his position battle for the starting right guard role, we'd predict that veteran Cordell Volson will emerge victorious. Slater received the first opportunity with the starters at the Titans' first practice and was whistled for a false start on the opening series. He's settled nicely since then, but Volson remains the in-house favorite to win the job.
Winner: Gunnar Helm, TE
Sophomore tight end Gunnar Helm has also shown signs of being ready to take a second-year leap. The Titans let Chig Okonkwo walk in free agency, essentially promoting Helm to TE1. They also signed Daniel Bellinger to a surprisingly lucrative three-year, $24 million contract, but the expectation is that he'll mostly be tasked with blocking duties. Helm has been a routine standout at practice.
Winner: Jermaine Johnson II, DE
The Titans acquired Jermaine Johnson II via trade to reunite with Robert Saleh and help lead the pass rush from the defensive end spot. Johnson has been as advertised so far, practicing with intensity. On Monday, he baited Cam Ward into a bad cross-body interception. After struggling in 2025, the surrounding pieces are in place for the veteran EDGE to enjoy a productive bounce-back season.
Loser: cornerback depth
The Titans have been totally displeased with their cornerback depth at training camp. They've already made three transactions at the position, including the signings of veterans Mario Goodrich and Nazeeh Johnson. Two undrafted rookie corners have already been cut in Latrell McCutchin Sr. and Jeadyn Lukus. Coach Saleh continues to look for better reserve options behind the starters. Making multiple transactions proves that back-end group hasn't been competitive enough at camp.
Winner: Tyjae Spears, RB
Fourth-year running back Tyjae Spears continues to look springy and explosive at practice. The former Tulane standout is entering a critical contract year after his sophomore and third seasons were partially derailed by injuries. Spears began building momentum for himself at OTAs and minicamp, and it's totally carried over to camp so far. He's the clear change-of-pace option to starter Tony Pollard, and is a weapon in the passing game.
Loser: Will Levis, QB
The Titans surprisingly had Will Levis speak at the podium earlier this week. He expressed his desire to be a starting quarterback in the NFL again, but is currently the Titans' clear QB3 behind Ward and Mitch Trubisky. Levis spoke with maturity and has been better at camp than he was at OTAs, but it's still difficult to envision him making Borgonzi's 53-man roster.
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