Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-14 · by Teresa M. Walker The Associated Press
In their first game under new coach Robert Saleh, the Tennessee Titans suffered a 23-10 loss to the New York Jets in a poor performance that marked their sixth consecutive opening-game defeat since 2020. Despite significant roster changes this offseason, issues persisted across all phases of play, including special teams where Joey Slye’s kickoff went out of bounds and Chimere Dike lost a fumble on a return. Saleh acknowledged the team's shortcomings and took responsibility for his coaching decisions but highlighted rookie linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.’s strong debut performance with 16 tackles and two passes defended.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In their season opener, the Tennessee Titans suffered a 23-10 loss to the New York Jets, continuing their streak of losing six straight season openers since 2020. New coach Robert Saleh expressed disappointment in every aspect of the game and acknowledged significant room for improvement. Despite overhauling half of the roster this offseason, none of the changes showed positive results, including issues on special teams where Joey Slye's kickoff went out of bounds early in the game. The Jets dominated with a 19-play drive that consumed nearly 12 minutes by running the ball on 10 consecutive plays to start it off. Saleh admitted his mistakes and said he would be more aggressive calling the defense in the second half to create big plays, but these adjustments did not turn around the game's outcome.
Written for “NFL Season Starts” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 9367 · logged 2026-09-14
New Tennessee coach Robert Saleh watched the tape of the Titans in their first game with a new coaching staff and had a sharp critique.
asserted
Saleh → watch → critique
That was obvious to anyone watching the Titans lose a sixth straight season opener since 2020 with Saleh the third different coach in that span.
asserted
Saleh → watch → span
They never led and wound up dominated by the New York Jets in a 23-10 loss to a team that also went 3-14 last season.
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that → lead → team
“We also have to acknowledge we have a long way to go,” Saleh said of a franchise that flipped more than half of the roster this offseason along with the new coaching staff.
asserted
that → have → staff
Yet none of the areas that were changed showed signs of improvement with even special teams having issues.
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teams → change → issues
Joey Slye’s opening kickoff went out of bounds for a bad omen.
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kickoff → go → omen
All-Pro returner Chimere Dike lost a fumble on a kickoff return after being cleared of a concussion with a blocker pushed into him on a punt return.
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blocker → lose → return
Saleh took accountability for his own mistakes.
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Saleh → take → mistakes
With the Jets running the ball on 10 consecutive plays to start a 19-play drive that used up nearly 12 minutes off the clock in the first half, the head coach tried to be more aggressive calling the defense in the second half looking to create more big plays.
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coach → run → plays
“It is truly collective; coaches, players, and trying to find a way to get this thing a little bit better,” Saleh said.
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Saleh → try → way
What’s working
The Titans were flagged four times for 25 yards in the rare category they did better than the Jets.
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they → work → Jets
One flag for too many men on the field erased a Jets’ rushing touchdown, though they scored on the next play.
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they → erase → play
Saleh used a timeout to avoid another penalty for 12 men on the field with the defense at its goal line.
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Saleh → use → line
What needs help
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needs → need → help
The 60th pick overall started and led the Titans with 16 total tackles and two passes defended making him the NFL’s first rookie to post those stats in a game since at least 2000.
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him → start → 2000
He also was the first NFL player with those stats in a game since Chicago safety Jaquan Brisker had 17 tackles and two passes defensed Dec. 10, 2023.
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Brisker → have → tackles
Cam Ward did not turn the ball over to start his second NFL season.
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Ward → turn → season
He also threw for only 140 yards — the fewest for any starting quarterback going into Monday night’s games.
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He → throw → games
Saleh noted that Ward has had seven different coordinators in seven different seasons and his coaches are trying to give him stability.
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coaches → note → stability
His latest NFL coach said Ward just needs time and will be growing this season and next.
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Ward → say → time
“This young man is at the floor, again, of what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, but he has all the tools, the mental makeup to get to where he needs to go,” Saleh said.
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Saleh → take → tools
Injuries
LB Cedric Gray missed the opener in the concussion protocol after a UTV accident.
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Gray → miss → accident
Saleh said Gray should be available against Philadelphia.
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Gray → say → Philadelphia
Gray led the Titans with 160 tackles last season, which ranked fifth in the NFL.
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which → lead → NFL
All-Pro returner Chimere Dike was evaluated for a concussion and cleared to return during the game.
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Dike → evaluate → game
Key number
31 — The number of NFL teams who have won at least one season opener since the start of the 2021 season with the Titans the only team in the league shut out in that span.
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who → win → span
Next steps
The Titans host Philadelphia on Sunday to wrap up two games to open a season at home for the first time since 2010.
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Titans → host → 2010
Then they face a two-game road swing at the New York Giants, then the Baltimore Ravens.
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they → face → Giants
