The Tennessee Titans learned their complete 2026 season schedule on Thursday. Week 1 versus the New York Jets presents an appetizing revenge-game opportunity for multiple people on both sides, including new Titans head coach Robert Saleh. It's also a favorable matchup for rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate to make his debut.
The Titans drafted Tate at No. 4 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft to become Cam Ward's go-to receiver. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has some talent at receiver, including Wan'Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley. But make no mistake, they want Tate to establish himself as the long-term No. 1.
Tate should make his official Titans debut against the Jets in Week 1 as a starting wide receiver. With Saleh coaching against his former team, and Daboll calling the offense, it projects as an opportunity for Tate and the Titans to get off to a quick start. It's an excellent opportunity for the rookie to notch his first career touchdown catch in his debut.
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate could make his 1st career TD catch in Week 1 vs. New York Jets
The Jets fielded a pitiful defense against the pass last season. They allowed a league-high 36 touchdown passes. They rarely placed pressure on opposing quarterbacks, recording just 26 sacks, second-fewest in the entire NFL.
There are various metrics that accurately paint how terrible the Jets were at defending the pass throughout the 2025 campaign. Opposing quarterbacks had a collective league-best passer rating of 110.9 against them. The Jets became the first defense in modern NFL history to fail to record a single interception all campaign long.
The Jets also allowed 7.5 yards per reception. That was the eighth-worst mark in the league. They've retooled their secondary this offseason by acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick via trade and drafting D'Angelo Ponds. They have former Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee in the secondary.
As terrible as the Jets were against the pass on defense, the Titans were equally as pathetic as a passing offense. Their 2,824 passing yards were third-lowest in the NFL, as was their 5.7 yards per attempt. Their 15 throwing touchdowns (all by Cam Ward) tied for the fewest in the league with the Jets.
The Titans believe Tate and Daboll will help rejuvenate their passing attack. They arguably couldn't ask for a better Week 1 matchup than a Jets defense that unfathomably failed to record a single interception in 2025. Tate possesses an opportunity to swiftly record his first career touchdown.
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