What is the story about?
The
Tennessee Titans have changed a lot over the last 20 months.
Since Jan. 2025, the organization has made changes at GM, starting quarterback and head coach.
This year, Robert Saleh opens his Titans tenure with second-year quarterback Cam Ward in an offense with two key wide receiver additions and a rebuilt defense led by All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
The Tennessean makes its yearly Titans predictions ahead of the Sept. 13 season opener:
Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL predictions: Can Robert Saleh, Cam Ward lead surprise run to playoffs?
Nick Suss, Titans beat reporter
- Titans record: 6-11
- The reason: The trenches should be pretty solid. The offense should be better. The coaches won't be in over their heads. And all that still only amounts to a season one floor above the NFL's basement.
- One bold prediction: Tyjae Spears stays healthy and finishes with more yards from scrimmage than Tony Pollard.
- Titans offensive MVP: Carnell Tate
- Titans defensive MVP: Jeffery Simmons
- Top rookie: Carnell Tate
- Passing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 3,750 / 22
- Receiving yards / touchdowns for Carnell Tate: 900 / 6
- Jeffery Simmons' sack total in 2026: 10.0
- Where Titans’ offense will rank: 21st in points per game
- Where Titans’ defense will rank: 17th in points per game allowed
- Fill-in-the-blank: Success for the 2026 Tennessee Titans looks like.... making good teams sweat and looking better than bad teams.
- Super Bowl prediction: Rams over Broncos
Gentry Estes, columnist
- Titans record: 5-12
- The reason: I know Titans fans don't want to hear this, but five wins feels generous for a thin, young roster with this many holes and question marks.
- One bold prediction: Mitch Trubisky will get a starting nod at some point during the season, and it won't be because Cam Ward is too injured to play.
- Titans offensive MVP: Tony Pollard
- Titans defensive MVP: Jeffery Simmons
- Top rookie: Carnell Tate
- Passing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 3,500 / 18
- Receiving yards / touchdowns for Carnell Tate: 750 / 5
- Jeffery Simmons' sack total in 2026: 8.5
- Where Titans’ offense will rank: 25th in points per game
- Where Titans’ defense will rank: 6th in points per game allowed
- Fill-in-the-blank: Success for the 2026 Tennessee Titans looks like.... Cam Ward proving that he can be an effective, reliable starting quarterback in the NFL, meaning the Titans don't have to go searching for a new QB in the offseason.
- Super Bowl prediction: Bills over Rams
Nick Gray, trending reporter
- Titans record: 6-11
- The reason: This rebuild will take a couple seasons with real questions along the offensive line and in the secondary. In the offseason, Mike Borgonzi tried to cover all bases with a wide spread of free agency signings. If the Titans can focus on upgrades in a couple areas next offseason instead of six or seven, then 2026 will be a positive step forward.
- One bold prediction: The Titans lose Week 1 against the Jets and still improve their record by a few games after a strong finish.
- Titans offensive MVP: Wan'Dale Robinson
- Titans defensive MVP: Jeffery Simmons
- Top rookie: Carnell Tate
- Passing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 3,650 yards, 22 touchdowns
- Receiving yards / touchdowns for Carnell Tate: 850 yards, 6 touchdowns
- Jeffery Simmons sack total in 2026: 10.5 sacks.
- Where Titans’ offense will rank: 23rd in points per game
- Where Titans’ defense will rank: 19th in points per game allowed
- Fill-in-the-blank: Success for the 2026 Tennessee Titans looks like.... No major changes needed in January and real, proof-on-film optimism for Ward ahead of Year 3.
- Super Bowl prediction: Rams over Ravens
Tom Kreager, Tennessean sports director
- Titans record: 4-13
- The reason: Titans lose. Rinse. Repeat. We’ve seen this too much. Yes, they may be improved. But improvement doesn’t equate to wins.
- One bold prediction: Hendon Hooker will be activated from the practice squad for at least three games.
- Titans offensive MVP: Joey Slye
- Titans defensive MVP: Jeffery Simmons
- Top rookie: Fernando Carmona
- Passing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 2,650 / 16
- Receiving yards / touchdowns for Carnell Tate: 550 / 4
- Jeffery Simmons' sack total in 2026: 9.5
- Where Titans’ offense will rank: 26th in points per game
- Where Titans’ defense will rank: 15th in points per game allowed
- Fill-in-the-blank: Success for the 2026 Tennessee Titans looks like.... Cam Ward stays healthy, takes a step forward as a quarterback, and the Titans move the football.
- Super Bowl prediction: Rams over Chiefs
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Our Titans 2026 NFL predictions are in — can Titans push for playoffs in Cam Ward's 2nd season?
