The New York Jets and Tennessee Titans will open their 2026 seasons Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium, with both teams looking to put disappointing 2025 seasons behind them.
Both teams finished 3-14 last season, making this matchup an important opportunity for two franchises hoping to turn things around. The game also features plenty of familiar faces, most notably Titans head coach Robert Saleh facing his former team. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Geno Smith Begins New Chapter With Jets
The Jets enter the season with veteran quarterback Geno Smith under center.
New York moved on from Justin Fields and brought Smith back to the AFC East, hoping his experience can stabilize an offense that struggled badly last season. Smith will have Garrett Wilson as his top target, while the return of Breece Hall gives the Jets another major weapon.
Hall is expected to be available after recovering from a groin strain. He returned to full practice this week and says he is ready to play Sunday.
The Jets will need their offensive line to protect Smith against a Titans defense that could bring plenty of pressure.
Cam Ward Looks to Take a Big Step
Tennessee enters the season with plenty of attention on second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
Ward showed significant improvement late last season, throwing 10 touchdowns and just one interception over his final eight starts. The Titans are hoping that momentum carries into 2026 as Ward attempts to establish himself as their long-term franchise quarterback.
Ward will have running back Tony Pollard behind him, while rookie receiver Carnell Tate gives the Titans another young weapon in the passing game.
Robert Saleh Faces His Former Team
One of the most intriguing storylines will be on the Titans’ sideline.
Saleh spent four seasons as the Jets’ head coach before being fired during the 2024 season. Now he begins his first game as Tennessee’s head coach against the franchise he previously led. Several former Jets players are also now with the Titans, adding another layer to an already interesting matchup.
Saleh’s defensive philosophy will be tested immediately against Smith, Wilson and Hall.
Key Matchup
The biggest matchup could be Tennessee’s pass rush against New York’s offensive line.
The Jets made significant investments up front, while Tennessee will look to create pressure and force Smith into difficult situations. On the other side, New York’s defense must contain Ward and prevent Pollard from controlling the game on the ground.
Rookie pass rusher David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick, will also be one of the players to watch in his NFL debut.
This is a difficult game to predict because both teams are coming off 3-14 seasons and have undergone significant changes.
The Titans have home field advantage, but the Jets appear to have more proven offensive weapons.
Expect a competitive game throughout, but Smith, Hall and Wilson could make just enough plays for New York to begin the Aaron Glenn era with a road victory.
