The Tennessee Titans should be an exciting team to watch in 2026. Tennessee brought in Robert Saleh at head coach, ushering in a new era for the organization. Titans fans finally have some hope ahead of Cam Ward's second season in the NFL. But it is still a few months before Titans fans can finally see their team in action again.
The Titans wrapped up mandatory minicamp on June 17th. Now the team gets a bit of rest before training camp kicks off in late July.
Tennessee will have the tough task trimming their roster to 53 players before the end of camp. That will require them to make some difficult decisions, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Which players should be the most worried headed into training camp?
Three Titans players stand out as the most in danger of being cut following the conclusion of mandatory minicamp.
Hendon Hooker won't survive final roster cuts
Detroit Lions QB Hendon Hooker stretches during practice at the Lions training facility in Allen Park.
© Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The Titans suddenly have too many talented quarterbacks on the roster headed into training camp. How things can change in just a couple of years.
Everyone knows that Ward is the future in Tennessee. Ward played well during his rookie season and is expected to take another big leap in 2026. Not only will he be more experienced this fall, but his supporting cast is much improved.
Tennessee's quarterback situation gets much more interesting when looking at the players behind Ward on the depth chart. Three quarterbacks will battle during training camp for potentially just one backup job behind Ward.
It all starts with veteran Mitchell Trubisky. Tennessee signed Trubisky at the start of NFL free agency with the vision of him becoming Ward's new backup. He proved himself as a capable backup under Josh Allen, which seems to have made an impression on new OC Brian Daboll. He is the frontrunner in the position battle.
There's also Will Levis, who flamed out as the team's franchise quarterback. He is no longer the QB1, but he has all the skills needed to become a capable backup.
All of that is a big problem for Hendon Hooker.
Tennessee signed Hooker during NFL free agency, bringing the former Volunteer back to his old stomping grounds. Hooker tore his ACL during the 2022 college football season, which hurt his stock before the draft. Ultimately, he landed in Detroit as a third-round pick.
Unfortunately, Hooker could never quite earn the backup quarterback position behind Jared Goff. The Lions waived him before the 2025 season, leaving him to bounce around between the Panthers and Jets as a practice squad player.
Realistically, Hooker has to be at the bottom of Tennessee's depth chart given his injury history and track record in the NFL. In the most optimistic outcome, the Titans will keep three quarterbacks on the final roster. Even if that happens, Hooker could still be on the outside looking in.
Titans fans should expect Hooker to be cut at some point before the regular season.
Will Kalel Mullings be the odd man out in Tennessee's backfield?
Mullings is also in a great deal of danger headed into training camp. Just like with Hooker, Mullings could be a victim of being too far down the depth chart.
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Tennessee looks poised to bring back Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears as their starting backs for the 2026 season. Their spots may not be guaranteed past this season, but they are right now.
Behind Pollard and Spears is rookie Nicholas Singleton. The Titans selected Singleton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. His college career did not go the way he wanted, but Singleton did show flashes of brilliance at times while at Penn State. There's reason to believe there is some untapped potential within him, perhaps even just as a role player.
If the Titans decide to only keep 4 running backs, then Mullings is already out of options. But if Tennessee keeps a fourth running back, it will still be an uphill battle for Mullings.
Let's not forget that Mullings is also competing with a few other players for that RB4 spot. Veteran Michael Carter impressed during mandatory minicamp and looks to have the inside track on the job. But there's also Julius Chestnut, whose special teams skills give him an advantage over Mullings.
Mullings may need to really wow Tennessee's coaching staff to stay in Tennessee past training camp.
Can Cordell Volson hold off younger competition during training camp?
Cincinnati Bengals guard Dylan Fairchild (63) warms up with guard Cordell Volson (67) during training camp at Kettering Health Practice Field.
Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
This is definitely the most controversial choice on the entire list.
Tennessee brought Volson in on a one-year deal with the expectation that he would start at right guard. In theory, that means his job is pretty safe. But that does not mean his place on the roster is set in stone.
After all, this is the NFL. Every player has to earn their roster spot, especially under a brand new coaching regime.
The problem for Volson is that Tennessee has a few young players who could challenge him for that right guard spot. Second-year guard Jackson Slater and rookie Pat Coogan have both looked solid throughout the offseason. Perhaps more importantly, they have youth on their side.
The Titans are still a rebuilding team. That means they could always choose to prioritize youth over experience with their team building strategy. So if Slater or Coogan look like a better option, Titans fans shouldn't be surprised if the team gives one of them an opportunity.
Ultimately, Volson should be fine if he can prove his value during training camp. But it could all come crashing down if he stumbles, or if a young player simply plays better than him at training camp.
Titans fans should keep an eye on o-line reps at training camp throughout the summer to monitor the situation.
The Tennessee Titans should be an exciting team to watch in 2026. Tennessee brought in Robert Saleh at head coach, ushering in a new era for the organization. Titans fans finally have some hope ahead of Cam Ward's second season in the NFL. But it is still a few months before Titans fans can finally see their team in action again.