Jets-Titans: What to watch for in their Week 1 matchup
The return of Geno
Geno Smith is back running the Jets' offense for the first time in nearly 10 years. He called it “an honor” to be with the franchise again and lead this “young, talented group of guys.”
It didn’t go well for Smith or the Jets their first time together, but he’s a different player now, a seasoned veteran who has played in many big games. Smith has the confidence and trust of his coaches and teammates, and he’s motivated to help the Jets reach the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.
“I know that there's a great opportunity in front of this team,” said Smith, who added that a successful season “starts with wins and it ends with wins.”
The Jets’ chances of winning will improve if Smith takes care of the football. He’s thrown a league-leading 32 interceptions during the past two seasons.
Saleh’s Super Bowl
Robert Saleh is making his Titans head-coaching debut against the team he guided for parts of four seasons.
Saleh has tried to downplay this game against his old team and said he doesn’t “hold grudges,” but there is no doubt that it means a lot more to Saleh than he’s admitting to after the way his Jets tenure ended. He was fired five games into the 2024 season with his team at 2-3.
The Jets who remain from the Saleh Era know what to expect from his defense, perennially one of the best in football. The Jets also are familiar with some of his players. Saleh brought in former Jets Jermaine Johnson, John Franklin-Myers, Solomon Thomas and Tony Adams.
“I'm sure he's got some wrinkles in there since he's been here,” receiver Garrett Wilson said. “They're always really sound in what they do, and I know the way he teaches it. He's thorough. I'm excited for the challenge. I'm excited to see him. I'm excited to play against his team.”
Super-Glenn to the rescue
The Jets’ defense was abysmal last season. Here comes Super-Glenn to the rescue.
OK, that’s a reach. But Aaron Glenn is calling the defense now and he’s the one who said it’s his “superpower.” Those are big words that have to be backed up.
The Jets and their revamped defense have an opportunity to get off to a good start against the Titans and second-year quarterback Cam Ward. Tennessee was in the bottom three in total offense and passing last year, and Saleh hired former Giants coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator to change that.
Glenn can’t wait to unleash rookie edge rusher David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Ward was sacked 55 times last year, the most in the NFL.
The additions of former Titans tackle T’Vondre Sweat and David Onyemata will help the Jets’ run defense. Glenn’s aggressive system will utilize three-, four- and five-man fronts and he will dial up blitzes at a high rate. Minkah Fitzpatrick on a safety blitz likely is on Glenn’s call sheet.
Wilson’s back and thinking big
Garrett Wilson will play his first game since suffering a knee injury last Nov. 9. His presence and the attention that he receives should create opportunities for his teammates. Wilson averaged 1,083 receiving yards in his first three seasons.
Entering Year 5, Wilson is as confident as he’s ever been that the Jets’ playoff drought will end. He called their chances “very realistic.”
“I think it should happen,” he said. “Something’s going to happen this year. We have as good of an opportunity as anyone else in this league, and I'm excited.”
The Jets have more playmakers on offense than in previous years and a seasoned, experienced former quarterback calling the offense.
Frank Reich is the Jets’ new offensive coordinator. He believes in being diverse, spreading around the football and giving his players freedom to react to how the defense is playing. The Jets should have a far more effective and entertaining offense this season.
“I think we have a bunch of playmakers,” Reich said. “We're all seeing and we all believe what can be possible.”
An interception would be nice
Other than winning the game, intercepting a pass is very high on the Jets’ list of priorities. Glenn and the defense want to finally check that box.
It’s been well-documented that in 2025, the Jets became the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without recording an interception. Their last pick was Jan. 5, 2025, when former Jet Ashtyn Davis had two against Miami.
“Best believe we are hunting for that ball for sure,” cornerback Azareye’h Thomas said
Ward took care of the football well enough last year. He was picked off only seven times in 540 pass attempts. The Jets hope their constantly changing fronts and looks and the pressure Bailey can cause will rattle Ward and force him to make a mistake.
NUMBER, PLEASE
3,612
The number of days between starts for Geno Smith as Jets quarterback. His last one was Oct. 23, 2016 against Baltimore. Smith left in the first half with a knee injury. It was his last game as a Jet before Sunday.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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