The Tennessee Titans opened their 2026 season against the New York Jets in Week 1. After a lengthy offseason rebuild, the Robert Saleh era officially began. The Titans were disappointing, losing 23-10 to the Jets.
It was an extremely disappointing start to the 2026 campaign. Bright spots were borderline nonexistent. We've identified the standout winners and losers.
Winners and Losers from the Tennessee Titans' Week 1 loss to the New York Jets
Loser: Brian Daboll, OC
Titans fans were legitimately excited about hiring Brian Daboll as the offensive coordinator. There was no return on that investment in Week 1. Daboll's offense managed 10 points, with the only touchdown coming in garbage time. Cam Ward threw for just 140 yards, and not a single Titans skill player accumulated 40 individual yards. Yikes.
Winner: Anthony Hill Jr., LB
Titans rookie Anthony Hill Jr. received the start because green-dot linebacker Cedric Gray suffered a non-football related leisure injury. The second-round pick made the first tackle of the game on Jets running back Breece Hall and continued showing up throughout the game. Hill appeared to have forced and recovered a fumble on tight end Mason Taylor. Refs inexplicably called it incomplete and upheld that ruling when Saleh challenged it. Still, the rookie was noticeable both as a run defender and coverage player, making 15 tackles.
Loser: JC Latham, RT
It's a big season for third-year Titans right tackle JC Latham after his sophomore year was derailed by injury and inconsistent play. After a good camp, the former Alabama standout failed to carry over that momentum to Week 1. The right side of Tennessee's offensive line was ineffective, and Latham was whistled for a holding call against Jets rookie pass rusher David Bailey. There were positive reps too, but he was often under duress.
Loser: Chimere Dike, WR/KR
Titans sophomore wide receiver Chimere Dike was All-Pro on special teams as a rookie. He was uncharacteristic in Week 1. After being checked for a concussion when team teammate Micah Robinson was blocked into him, Dike cleared protocol but lost a fumble on his next kickoff opportunity. Luckily, a tired Titans defense managed to come up with a stop, and Jets kicker Jason Sanders missed the ensuing field goal. Still, special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel won't be happy.
Loser: Titans run defense
The Titans allowed Saleh to revamp the defensive line in his vision. Part of the makeover was placing less emphasis on run defense by trading nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat to the Jets. Saleh's new-look front seven could not stop the run. The Jets offense enjoyed an unfathomable 19-play drive that spanned nearly 12 minutes. Frank Reich's rushing attack finished with 155 ground yards with Breece Hall surpassing 100 with a touchdown.
Loser: Titans pass rush
That same defensive line Saleh was allowed to revamp by bringing in multiple ex-Jets players he coached is supposed to be an attacking-style front that pressures the quarterback. They did anything but. Jets quarterback Geno Smith was extremely comfortable and rarely under duress. Smith wasn't sacked and played pitch-and-catch with his targets all day long, finishing 19-of-24 with 215 yards.
Loser: Tommy Townsend, P
The Titans signed punter Tommy Townsend to hopefully upgrade what Johnny Hekker gave them last season. Well, in three opportunities to punt from around midfield and pin the Jets deep, he failed to keep the ball in bounds, leading to a touchback each time. All three phases for the Titans were bad.
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