The New York Jets opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Sunday, defeating the Tennessee Titans 23-10 in Nashville and giving new head coach Aaron Glenn a victory in his first regular-season game.
The Jets controlled the game for much of the afternoon, especially on the ground and defensively. New York finished with 367 total yards while holding Tennessee to just 195 yards, dominating time of possession for nearly 39 minutes.
Geno Smith Makes His Return
Making his first start for the Jets since 2016, Geno Smith delivered exactly what New York needed. Smith completed 19 of 24 passes for 215 yards without throwing an interception or losing a fumble.
He connected with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell on several big plays, helping the Jets consistently move the football. Mitchell came up with a 40-yard reception that helped set up a scoring opportunity.
The Jets also got a huge performance from Breece Hall. The running back rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, giving New York a consistent presence on the ground.
Defense Sets the Tone
New York’s defense made life extremely difficult for Titans quarterback Cam Ward. The rookie quarterback finished with only 140 passing yards, and the Jets recorded three sacks.
Tennessee struggled to create much offensively throughout the game. The Titans managed only a field goal early before finally reaching the end zone late, when Ward connected with Elic Ayomanor for a touchdown.
The Jets also got an early boost from rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who scored New York’s first touchdown of the season on a three-yard rushing play.
There was one concerning moment for New York, as rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. left with an ankle injury after making a 30-yard catch. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick also suffered a groin injury and was unable to finish the game.
Still, the Jets walked out of Nashville with a convincing 23-10 victory.
For a team looking to put last season’s struggles behind it, the opening performance was exactly the kind of statement New York needed.
