The Tennessee Titans suffered a pathetic loss against the New York Jets in Week 1, and there is plenty of blame to go around. From Cam Ward's missed throws to zero pressure on Jets quarterback Geno Smith, this team never stood a chance. One player in particular had a rough day, and he was one of the team's offseason additions.
Earlier in the summer, it became obvious among local media and Titans fans that former New York Giant Austin Schlottmann would be the team's starting center for 2026. Initially, fans met this decision with skepticism, but over time, they grew to get behind the idea of Schlottmann reuniting with his former offensive line coach and coordinator.
However, Schlottmann's debut did not go as planned, and it seems the Titans will be moving forward with a question mark on their offensive line in Sunday's Week 2 game with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Austin Schlottman dissapointed in Titans' season opener
Truly, the offensive line's performance from Week 1 is probably being over-hated among the fan base, but that doesn't really apply to Schlottmann. He received a 56.1 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade, ranking lowest among the five linemen.
Watching the film, it becomes clear that Schlottmann probably isn't the strongest run blocker. He can hold his own, but really struggles to move lineman in order to create rushing lanes. For a team that is in dire need to run the football effectively, this could be a big problem moving forward.
The pass blocking was more difficult to diagnose, considering the majority of his blocks were double-team blocks with left guard Peter Skoronski or right guard Fernando Carmona. When Schlottmann was left on an island to handle solo blocking assignments, he stuck out like a sore thumb. On one play in particular, former Titans nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat immediately threw Schlottmann aside and forced a Cam Ward throwaway.
Schlottmann will potentially be going head-to-head against Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis this Sunday against the Eagles (though Carter is on the Eagles' injury report). The duo will provide a much more difficult test than the Jets' interior did, and if Schlottmann can't turn his play around, center might become one of the weakest spots on the whole roster.
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