The Tennessee Titans are wrapping up their preseason preparations and have set their sights on the season opener on September 7 against the Denver Broncos.
While there have been some uneven moments throughout training camp and the preseason, the arrow is clearly pointing up for a franchise that has been mired in disappointment over the past two seasons. With rookie quarterback Cam Ward at the helm, a sense of optimism is building throughout the organization and fan base.
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That optimistic outlook has also begun to creep into national media outlets, and analysts and experts are starting to take notice of what is happening in Nashville. The latest was former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum when he joined ESPN’s “First Take” to talk about the AFC South.
“Cam Ward, the first pick overall, is going to lead the Tennessee Titans to the AFC South division championship.” Tannenbaum told Stephen A. Smith during the episode before attempting to break down why.
This was a bold take by Tannenbaum, but he did back it up with some solid reasoning based on the potential of the offensive line, especially compared to the division favorites: the Houston Texans.
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“When you look at Houston, it is a fatal flaw when you can’t protect a great quarterback.” Tannebaum said, “I’d rather take Cam Ward and that offensive line over C.J. Stroud and that offensive line.”
So far through training camp and the preseason, the offseason focus on the offensive line by the Titans’ front office appears to be paying off. The Titans offensive line appears to be much improved over the disastrous unit they deployed in 2024. Yes, there is a long way to go, but the early returns are positive.
While there is a long way to go in the 2025 season, it is clear that the Titans appear to be headed in the right direction. And although they may not win the division, as Tannenbaum predicted, they should be a team on the rise, and a tough out for anybody on their schedule.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Ex-NFL general manager picks Tennessee Titans to win AFC South