Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - TITANS SQUAD SHOW: Cam Ward is RUNNING for His Life: Can This O-Line Be Fixed?

Episode Date: May 9, 2026

The trenches are officially a battleground. With Kevin Zeitler and Lloyd Cushenberry gone, the Titans are left with massive holes at Center and Right Guard. Is an open competition the right move, or a recipe for disaster for Cam Ward’s crucial second season? We’re breaking down the risks in today's episode. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Square If you’re starting a business, or running one that deserves better tools, Square helps you sell, manage, and grow without slowing down. Right now, you can get up to $200 off Square hardware at https://square.com/go/LockedOnNFL.  FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhlRugiet. Performance medicine for men. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're talking our favorite and least favorite Titans position groups heading into the 2026 season. And shocker with a Robert Sala team, mine's on defense. Oh, that's interesting because I will have to say this. No Brad Hopkins today, but maybe I'm going to speak for Brad Hopkins when it comes to my position of worry. Titan up. It's the Titans squad.

Everything Tennessee Titans every week. Covering all the big hits and game-changing players. from the heart of Music City the way only the locked on podcast network can. Squad up. The Titan Squad Show starts now. And welcome to the Titan Squad Show. I'm your host, Julian Minnesone, joined by Kayla Anderson.

Brad Hopkins is out today, but no worries. We got you covered here on this Friday. We wanted to remind you that today's episode is brought to you by GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account, and use code locked on for $20 off your first. purchase and we have a jam-packed show for you today. A lot of discussion about Cody Barton and his potential with the roster in 2026. Is he on the hot seat because of the Titans drafting Anthony Hill, Jr. We discuss some of our least favorite and favorite position groups now that we are post-draft and pretty much post the majority of free agency. But I always like good news first and I always want to be

positive first, especially for Titans fans who haven't had a ton of positivity over the last few years. So Kayla, I ask you, now that we are after the draft and now that the Titans have spent most of their, you know, free agent money this season, this offseason, what is your favorite position group for this team right now and why? Ooh, my favorite position group right now. So obviously I spoke last week about how I was initially surprised with the draft pick of Carnell Tate just because I didn't see them really, you know, linked to him as much. But obviously, these teams do things the way they want to do them. Their boards don't look like some of these analysts that break down all these mock drafts,

which is great. They know what they want. So I think I'm excited for this wide receiver group, because A, the obvious, can Carnell Tate shut down any haters that there might be out there and prove that he can be Cam Ward's number one target, which in my opinion, if you're going to draft a guy at number four overall, when you had other weapons on the board, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, that it needs to work. And so my eyes will be on that particular situation from the jump. And I'm sure a lot of Titans fans' eyes will be as well. So that's exciting in its own right.

I'm also excited when it comes to looking around that room. Because I don't know if it's like a nervous excitement or just an excitement because I like to see how things can be proven wrong. But when you look at last year, Chigaconquo, was the Titans leading receiver, and he's a tight end, with 56 receptions for 560 yards, and he played in all 17 games. That's not good, folks. You have a tight end who's leading the way with just 560 yards at that. Next on that list was Ellick Iow Manor. And I love that. It was his rookie season. We didn't even know how much to really expect out of Iyo Manor in that first year. we saw him get into a groove with Cam Ward, and he was second on that list with 45 receptions for 423 yards, or sorry, 41 receptions for 515 yards, and he played in 16 games.

Next on that list, Chimerae D.K., then it was Gunner Helm, and then Van Jefferson, and then we have to go all the way down to the six spot to find Calvin Ridley. And he had injuries, so he just played in, what was it, seven games? or so, and he had like 303 yards. So the thing about that room I'm excited for, and it's a nervous excitement, is can these guys all step it up to the next level because they need to? And obviously we have one day L. Robinson here. How big will he be in a new role?

And obviously familiar with Brian Dable, I think that's going to be fun to watch. But I'm just excited to see the competition in this room. and see some of these guys prove the haters wrong. But like really especially he wanted to be here. Can he stay healthy? Can he be something for this offense in Cam Ward? But I really think the excitement comes with the number four overall draft pick

and if he can really become Cam's number one target. Let me ask you this then because I agree with you in the sense that the wide receiver room going into this season looks a lot better than it did going into last season. What would be a successful season for Carnell Tate? We discussed this on the show on Tuesday between Brad Tyler and I, and Brad was, Brad had a high ceiling for, for Carnell Tate. He thinks he's,

he's going to be a star. Tyler and I were a little bit more reserved in our expectations. We kind of, we kind of said maybe between 800 to 950 cards or so, five or six touchdown. just because, you know, while you do expect him to be a number one receiver, he is still a rookie. And I looked at Tet McMillan, who won the offensive rookie of the year last year

for the Carolina Panthers. He had over 1,000 yards, 70 catches. And that was, that's like the peak to me. But I put maybe a step below that. Yeah, I think you're more on track. And I love Brad's optimism. Absolutely. And I hope that Cardinal Tate can be a thousand plus wide receiver in years to come and is expected to be that.

But I will say coming in as a rookie and with a line that we still need to see come together. And it's probably going to take just a minute for things to sync up with some new pieces, a new line coach, et cetera, a new offense. that I think it's not going to be out of the gate necessarily, that they're just going to be like on the same page. They get to build that in camp, and I think they will. But I say I don't like setting huge numbers for any type of rookie. And I think 800 to 900 yards is what should be expected. To have a thousand yard plus season or a thousand yard season at that,

that'll be a bonus. But you have other pieces here, Julian, that I just mentioned. mentioned that should be able to be part of that receiving room and the numbers that go along with it. So you have two, you know, or you have Gunner Helm, too, that has been a reliable option for Cam Ward. I only see his numbers increasing. So there's other things to go around in terms of sharing the wealth a little. And I do think I.O. Manor and Cam built a really good relationship. So you want to continue that. You don't want to just dump that on the side of the road. So I think there's enough help around him now and Wondale Robinson that we shouldn't have to expect that first year, a thousand plus yards out of Carnal tape.

Right. And you mentioned Robinson. And it all goes down to like spreading the wealth to and how Cam and this offense is going to do that. Robinson, the last two years has had 140 targets. So like they're looking for him in that Brian Dable offense quite a bit. And so that's obviously would take away from. potentially other targets that maybe could go to a carnal tate or could go to chim or alec or calvin rid so yeah and i'm interested to see you know a healthy rid too reuniting with brian dable and they had success together in alabama so yeah no i i'm with you on the receiver i'm going to go to the defense on my side for our favorite position group and it's obviously because of robert sala and i think there is a potential that this titans team could have a top 10 defense this season um there are some question marks about I know they added the defensive back and free agency and they didn't draft one so what's the depth look like there everyone's excited as we've seen in the comments already

today for anthony hill junior and how he could be the steal of the draft but I'm going with the big guys up front and the defensive line I think the combination of Jeff Simmons and John Franklin Myers I was talking with Jordan Reed from ESPN over the draft and and I said what's the potential for those two guys? And he said, yeah, well, for other teams, it's good luck. Because outside of maybe Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams over there in Seattle, I think that those two could be the best interior defensive lineman duo in the league. And this is a Jeff Simmons coming off a career season with 11 sacks. He was 25 pounds down, as you know. And still, it's crazy to think 25 pounds down for Jeff Simmons.

is still 300 pounds, right? And now he's going to have a running mate next to him who is just as capable of getting to the quarterback as he is, along with the edge guys that you brought in. I know there was a lot of talk about getting an edge early, but you still trade it up to get the Keldrick Faw kid, and I know there's a lot of excitement about his versatility. And you are expecting him and Jermaine Johnson,

who will be two years removed from an injury, to have some ascension under Robert Sop. And so that is why, you know, while the edge isn't necessarily their strongest, at least right now, I do think the fact that they have a great interior duo with Franklin Myers and Simmons that could help supplement maybe what they are lacking at the edge of the defensive line. But as a whole, that's probably the group I'm excited for the most just because I think there's an extra level there for Jeff Simmons, which is kind of crazy to say, Kayla. it's crazy to say that I'm going to take a minute to call up the haters just one second here because when I was on that station in Nashville Tennessee you know home of the Titans not going to say who it is but when I was on that station you know there's a lot of hate going around about

a guy by the name of Jeffrey Simmons and a lot of naysayers that would you know come on to our comments and, you know, when you're out in public, you know, you would hear things like, ah, what is, what is Jeff anyways? What is he contributing? What is he getting all this money for? What is he really done? And look, did he not maybe perform to the level people expected to, to up until last year? Maybe. But I feel like it wasn't just on him. It was the surrounding parts as well. And when teams are double teaming, Jeff, like they did for so many years and zeroed in on Jeff, it is hard to be that heavy stat guy. But Jeff, what I love, did not give up on that or say, ah, you know, like he went to work in the off season. And like you said, he lost the weight. He

came in with a whole new mentality. Obviously, having sweat there, too, has helped. And I know sweats no longer here, but that helped as well. And I think they worked well together. But now I'm excited to see how he wants to top that because you've had your best year statistically. How are you now as a competitor, Jeffrey Simmons, in terms of topping it? And I think he'll be right there again because, A, he wants a taste of it again. And he wants to make sure that he proves he's not just a one-hit wonder in terms of stats.

And you've got a new defense that you're trying to do it. in with new pieces around you that actually are better and should help you out with you just mentioning Franklin Myers there. So I think that's a great pick, Julian, because I do feel like those two personalities are going to take it real personal on the inside. And then the edge position, I think, will come along as we see these games continue. And one more note to that, watching Robert Sala this past season firsthand do what he did with a depleted depleted 49ers defense

it was incredible to see what he could do now with pieces and parts and a pro bowler you know a couple pro bowlers like that will be really fun to watch and I think it will be exciting for Titans fans knowing that they have that defensive mind running the show Yeah, and I think Jeff Simmons will get even like a clean slate, breadth of fresh air in a way where he'll be extra motivated because he is one of the pillars of this team. And it seems like this turnover when it comes to the Titan staff, you know, the rebranding, getting the draft picks and the GM that's behind it all. It seems like different than some of the past turnover that the Titans have had in years past.

So we'll see. But yeah, those are some good picks there for a favorite. position group on the other side of the break we're going to do our position group that causes us the most concern gets us to lose some sleep at night that's next on the titan squad show keep it here support today's episode comes from square the system that helps fix one of the biggest headaches in running a business starting a business is exciting but actually running it that's where things can get complicated fast payments inventory staff scheduling online orders it's a lot to manage that's why square brings everything together into one connected system square helps you take payment

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Run your business starter smarter with Square. Get started today. All right, Kayla, we went with our favorite position groups for the Titans as it stands right now. What is your least favorite? Least favorite. Or most concerning, worrisome. Oh, Julian. You know, I feel like I've been talking about this position group for a while now.

And while at times they seem to redeem themselves and show hope, it just seems then they go backwards the next season. And I'm talking about, maybe I'm speaking for Brad Hopkins today, but I'm talking about that offensive line. And unfortunately, no matter what combos they've put together or new coaches that they brought in that have loads of experience. it just seems like there's not been a consistency on the line for a minute. And that concerns me right now because there are so many new parts to this team. And while there are old names and names were familiar with it on the offensive line, I'm concerned with how quickly it can come together because I'm worried that, if it starts out kind of how it did last year and we've got cam ward just kind of not being able to

pick up from where he left off last year that that can be frustrating for a younger team offensively and i say that because the offensive line actually got better last year and i was looking at some numbers and pro football focus ranked them at the end of the season a lot of the season a 11th overall in terms of offensive lines, which is not bad. But they started the year fluctuating between 22nd, 24th. And I think that like part of that was just getting familiar with each other and Cam getting familiar with them. But now you're adding in a new center, which we, you know, we're still not 100% sure who that starter will be. We can take some guesses. But that to me anchors your entire line. Like, I just remember, you know, some of the names that the Titans have had at that

center position. And Ben Jones is the one that sticks out to me recently, at least I got to cover. And like, it's hard to find someone more tough, more of a mindset that was always focused, more of a lead by what I'm doing type of guy that I've seen in a while. And he kept, he anchored that line for a long time and did a hell of a job doing it. You know left tackle, right, Dan Moore, but there's always little bits of questions there. Peter Skoronsky is by far the best line now on this team. He's solid. And obviously he gets a contract, right? And an extension and stuff. And he was the highest, I think second ranked highest offensive guard on PFF last year. I think he had like an 85 something percent past blocking.

Right. So the guy is doing it. And I love Pete, by the way. Just freaking love him. I miss being in that locker room and talking to him. But he can't just be the only good piece of your line. You've got to have more consistency. And that's where I look at this.

And I'm like, I look down the line and I look on the depth chart, Julian. And I'm like, I can't find anybody besides him that I'm like feel 100% good saying they're going to be consistent from start to finish. J.C., I want to believe he can get there, but he has to show us that. Yeah, uneasy and unproven is how I would describe the offensive line right now. And there are my pick also for my most concerning position group. And it's because of the reasons you said, there was only one spot in the offensive line that I think Titans fans could say that they feel good about at this moment, right?

Like, Peter Skoransky, he told us in training camp, he wants to get to a pro bowl type of level. And that's what he played at last year. Dan Moore was shaky. And I know there's a thing, a bad team tax of what you had to pay him because you needed a left tackle. But he has not lived up to the contract that they paid him over $80 million. Peter Skronsky's fine. Center, you're figuring that out. I do think Pat Kugan will end up being the starter.

Yeah. That was the prediction I made in the show last, last, earlier. this week, I should say. And I like that. I'm not, I'm actually, when I looked at that list, Julian, he's honestly the one that when I just described Ben Jones, he's like kind of more of what I thought could possibly do that. Yeah. And I think the intangible thing is there. I mean, we could just go off for right now, what's it college tape, right? Like the intangible stuff, Rose Bowl MVP, offensive MVP, first time that happened for alignment since like the 1940s. I mean, he was the center for Fernando Mendoza and the championship run.

So solid. And so I like him a lot. But he is going to have to win the job over like an Austin Schlotman who has some NFL experience under his belt. Guard, I would feel a little bit better if they re-signed Kevin Zitler. But I think what they're going to do, and this is just me speculating, is they're going to see what they have here in this offseason workouts with Jackson Slater, Cordell Vulsin. and Fernando Carmona, who they just drafted, and kind of go from there because Zitler's older, you know. I mean, even if you do re-sign them,

there's only a little bit left in that tank. And then J.C., the hope is that the potential is there. He was bothered with that hip last year. I think that led to a lot of the penalties that he had and the lateral movement or lack thereof. And so, you know, it is tough because you have a sense. second year quarterback where you're hoping to take the next step and you are terrified that the dude is going to be running for his life back there. And that's the thing, Julian. That's what we cannot have

happen for at least, you know, I get it when you're the first couple of weeks and you're figuring things out in terms of live game action and this new line. We can't have it be midway through the season and Cam Ward is out with another shoulder injury or, I mean, something, God forbid, like that happens, can't afford to do that. And especially because you're still evaluating Cam Ward. And you're trying to sit here and give him these weapons and say, hey, we're going to do this for you to help you in terms of your development. But then the line is going to be half put together. I think it will be great having Carmen Bricillo in there, the new offensive line coach, because he has over 21 years of experience in the league.

And I know that he is looked at as kind of a hard-nosed coach that is going to get the most out of his players. And I think that is a good mindset with these players in particular, some of them young, most of them young, or most of them still developing. I know that obviously you've got Dan Moore and a couple of these guys that are vets, but you want to get the most out of a J.C. Latham. You want to get the most out of what could possibly be your young center and depth pieces because we all know that's important on offensive line as well. So, yeah, you're right, Julian.

Like for Cam to be able to operate healthy, which pray that he did last game, they've got to make sure that this thing comes together. sooner than later. Yeah, and we'll get Brad's take on that next week of how he's feeling about the big picture of the O line right now because he's got a lot to say what it comes to that position because he was one of the best and held it down at left tackle for over a decade. So that is our least favorite position group or most concerning right now. On the other side of the break, we're going to talk about one player in particular who could be on the hot seat. His job could be in jeopardy with the Tennessee Titans. That's next here on the Titan Squad Show. Don't forget to

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download the game time app today. All right, Kayla, I wanted to talk about Cody Barton. ESPN's Ben Solick wrote that he could be on the hot seat for his potential job there, competing with Anthony Hill Jr. there at middle linebacker. He's on a three-year, $21 million deal. This is the second year of that contract, and he takes a cap hit. Titans are taking a cap hit of just over $8 million for this season. would you be open to trading a Cody Barton if it meant getting you some draft capital?

Or is it worth it to you to keep him around? And do you believe he's even on the hot seat at all? This stuff doesn't come out of nowhere. And I know it is that time of the year that we are content thirsty because we're in, you know, technically still the off season. But first of all, I'll put it on record, love Cody Barton in terms of a leader in that room and good locker room guy great locker room guy i think really truly does set the tone for a lot of those younger players and like i think even set the tone last year for some of these guys

and leads by example now look his numbers weren't great right like he wasn't like the most productive linebacker in the league last year he's coming up on 30 years old um like you mentioned, he's on year two of that three-year contract. They take a little bit of a cap hit. Part of me says, like, if you get draft capital that makes sense that you, you know, you feel like, because I do feel like Borganzi is one of those guys. It's like, okay, if we have picks that we can stack up, like, that's not a bad thing because we're really continuing to try to grow this team from the bottom up.

But I think it comes down to how valuable they feel he can be in that. room in terms of a leader this year, even if he loses his job to a guy like Anthony Hill, Jr. He's not the type of guy that's going to sit back and pout. That's not who Cody Barton is. He's going to still teach guys stuff. He's still going to be a leader in that room. It never hurts to have depth because you just never know what's going to happen. Cedric Gray blossoms last year. I'm not going to lie. I truly feel Cody Barton helped his growth. Like I know you can put it on the position coaches and everything, but talking to Cedric early on in training camp last year, he mentioned Cody Barton's name numerous times in terms of what he helped in terms of that

room do. So part of me is like I don't really want to get rid of him. But if it's a good deal and you feel like the capital is is worth doing, then do it. It's definitely probably something they're talking about, though. Just knowing that Anthony Hill is more fit for this defense, like Cody's not as athletic. He's more of an assignment sound-based type of linebacker where, you know, when you look at Anthony Hill, like he's like the fast, the physical. High speed, yeah. The speed.

So it makes sense in terms of fit moving forward. but I don't think it hurts you terribly to keep Cody around at least for this year. Yeah, that was the big criticism from Ben Solick's piece on ESPN is that Cody is more of an assignment sound guy than he is athletically talented. And given Robert Sala likes the high speed guys, they can flow fast, go sideline to sideline, that fits more of the Cedric Gray, Anthony Hill, Ilk type of linebacker. And maybe the wheels aren't what they are supposed to be for a, Cody Barton at 30, getting nearing 30 years old at this point in his career for a defense like

that. But if you are the Titans, look, injuries can happen. I know. This happened with this team. And you can't, I don't think you can never have enough depth. And like you mentioned, the fact that he also is a locker room guy. We all remember the notorious quote that Cam had last year where he said, I'm going to keep it a buck. We are, you know, ASS. Yes. And I'm saying that for podcast purposes to keep the PG here. But Cody Barton was one of the guys who said, yeah, we took him aside and we had some conversations with him about that. Even you can think that, you could have the criticisms in house or whatever and be demanding

of your teammates, but you can't put that out there because it's like wildfire for us media folk, right? And so from a locker room perspective, he was one of the guys in a very tough season that kept it very even keeled and level-headed in a time where they could have been even more frustrated than they already were. And so, again, is he the fit more so than what Anthony Hill's ceiling is or Cedric Gray's ceiling is? No. But does it hurt to keep him on the roster? I also think that answer is no. I think, I think it's, he provides some sort of value. And look, what are you going to get in a return for him?

Because that contract could make his value in a trade very tough. You get a fifth rounder for him at best. So it kind of depends on what's worth it to you if your general manager, Mike Borganzi. So we'll see. We'd love to have Cody Barton and be able to talk to him in the locker room because he was certainly a fun guy to talk to. And certainly could provide some depth for that linebacker room, especially if Anthony Hill Jr. is not ready right away. All right.

On the other side of the break, we're going to take some questions here in our Titans talk segment. That's right up next here on the Titan Squad Show. Don't go in here. All right. Troy, 1998 has a question, Kayla. I know Coach Sala is a defensive guy, but will the Titans be a defensive-led team

or an offensive-led team this upcoming season? I fell defense. So this is always interesting because you're either, the Titans have had both defensive-minded coaches that are head coaches and offensive-minded coaches. And clearly the last one in terms of Callahan did not work out as an offensive mind. So I think they're kind of like, okay, let's go back to a defensive-minded head coach. The biggest question is like how much will that impact what this team is?

And one thing I do know is when you hire a guy like Brian Dayball, though, that is also been a head coach and he is offensively, you know, a great play caller and all the stuff that comes along with it. It almost makes me think this could be an interesting like balance. Because a lot of times, at least recently, I feel like we've gotten like one or the other. And so maybe this is the nice, unique change. And I don't know how long you'll be able to hold on today ball for if he has a successful year. But like, let's enjoy what can possibly be here while we can. I feel like it could be

more even than we think. I mean, you're going to eventually, I think, or at first you're going to go towards defense. But I think just in terms of who they drafted tells you something right there. Who they drafted at number four overall.

When they had nice pieces that would have added to Salah's defense, I feel like that's telling right there that it could be a little more even than we think. I agree with that in the sense that what has been the problem with the past Robert solid teams? It hasn't been defensively. No.

I mean, even the Jets teams, which were bad, the defense were, they were awesome. It was the offense. That was an issue. And so you get a guy in Brian Dable who was highly coveted this offseason. I think it's without a doubt he is going to get a head coaching job again at some point. And the hope is that he does because if he does, it means your offense was pretty darn good, right? If nobody's willing to poach him, that means that your offense did not succeed. And so I do think we are going to see a Robert's solid team that does lean offense a little bit more than it has in past.

Now, do I think the identity of their team will be offensive-minded, like totally offense? No, I was still lean. Maybe it's a, you know, 60-40 split to the defense as far as identity goes. And that's only because also I look at the personnel that's on offense versus the personnel that's on defense right now. And there are more proven guys on that defensive side of the ball. Not that the offense can't get there. I think it's going to be a work in progress with some young pieces in the mix. But I think for at least early on, the team is going to hang its hat defensively because it's Jeff Simmons team.

Right. We talked about John Franklin Myers. Cedric Gray, Cody Barton, Alante Taylor, who they added in free agency. Yeah, there's a ton of vets. There's a ton of vets like up and down that side of the ball where I think the offense, Cam is, I think this is the year where we're going to start to see him controlling the game on the offensive side, like becoming the leader on that side of the ball that we are thinking that he can be being a number one pick.

But I do agree with you in the sense that, you know, if you're giving it percentages on identity, I do think it is going to be, there's going to be more often. in that than maybe people think if that makes sense it does make sense that's perfectly well said and this is what i'm going to say though i am so tired and i know these guys are tired in terms of the defense jeffrey simmons specifically having to hold this team afloat having to make up for the lack of points that this team continues not to put on the board year in and year out.

So for me, I truly hope that it is more of a split or, you know, like you said, a little bit of maybe the defense carries it a bit more, at least in a good part of the beginning of this. But for the defense's sake and the veterans' sake on this team,

it's like, and for your sake that's covering the team every day in the locker room, like I don't want to have to have you guys go to the meal. So what is it like to have to carry this team again? Like this just can't continue to happen if you're going to have a winning team. You can't. 100%. Gavis Concon, I think hopefully I'm saying that right, 2004 says Lions fan here,

but I love your draft and where the Titans might go. Anthony Hill Jr. is going to be special. And I think we could agree with the sentiment among the draft class. Now, like, looking back at it, 2020, you know, hindsight, hindsight 2020 or whatever, the Anthony Hill pick is going to be the steal of the draft. Absolutely. No, I think he is too. And it's nice if that happens also, Julian, because you did have a linebacker available,

a very, very talented linebacker available at the top of the draft that you could have taken at four. and this could be extremely rewarding and a flex for those scouts and for Mike Borganzi if they really do hit on Anthony Hill Jr. And he is a big part of this offense and can be a starter from the jump. Yeah, that's going to make you feel really good. And there's no doubt that he could get there. The same commenter says, I'm excited to see the year you guys are going to have. I see 12 wins, maybe five losses.

That's a little much for me. I don't know if 12 is, I mean, that would be awesome. You're a playoff team. You're probably winning the division at that front. But I wanted to ask you this, Kayla, because it relates to next week's show, we're going to talk about the schedule because the schedule is coming out. Yeah, Thursday. Yeah, Thursday, the 14th.

I want to ask you what you think the win total or successful season win-wise would be. And then I'll ask you again in our show next week once we see how the schedule is laid out, and away games for the Titans, but what would a successful season be for the Titans in your eyes? So I think, again, I go off of, and I know it is hard to go off of it, because there is a lot of newness in terms of new head coach, new OC. But I don't ever completely take away what was built towards the end of the season. And I feel like Cam Ward, and I feel like Cam Ward, and And the offensive line and the offense in general started to find some momentum towards the end of the season. Now, again, could be hard to bring over because there's new pieces and a new offense and they're learning that new offense.

But there is still the success that they found towards the end of the season and that winning feeling. They were winning more, right? They were in games more. So I'd like to say that it's crucial to carry that over. It's crucial to carry that over. And that is on the backs of these young offensive players, including Cam Moore and some of these guys that we've talked about. So I want to see, I want to see maybe like 9 to 10 wins. Oh, wow.

Okay. Yeah. Because that can get you potentially flirting with a wild card spot, I guess. Look, you look at what people have said about their off season. and I know their drops hit and miss with what people have broken down, but most of it is because you either like the Cardinal tape pick or you don't. But look at who's coaching this team and look who's the OC. There's got to be a lot of credit that at least you're optimistic about what those names can do for you because of their resumes.

So, yeah, I would say, like realistically, my top would probably. be nine is what they could get to. But I wouldn't be disappointed with like even seven to eight. Yeah, I think seven or eight is probably the ceiling. And that's considering also too. I mean, last year they played the toughest schedule in the league. It was brutal, right? And so this year, this year when you look at the opponents,

since we know the opponents this year, on paper, it doesn't look as tough as it did for last, than last year's schedule. Right. I think at bare minimum, and I'm not saying like I'm predicting this is the wins, but at bare minimum for you to feel good about going into 20, 27, 28, I think you need to at least double your win total. I think so too.

And that's six. Six wins. Six, sorry. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Three wins last year.

I think, and that doesn't seem a lot. I know fans might be like, oh, that doesn't really get me excited, but that gets you at least going in the right direction. I mean, you've won six games in the last two years. You know what I mean? Like, I take six wins in a heartbeat because of where it will put you the following year, Cam going into year than three, and a lot of these rookie classes, the rookie class going into year two,

and then maybe you've figured it out as a team with these new pieces, for another year. It'll be the second full year under Robert Sala. And so I think six has to be the minimum. You've got to get six. I wouldn't be surprised if they got seven or eight, though, and I would be ecstatic because then you would get on the, you know how ESPN and NFL Network do the in the hunt in the standing.

Oh, you want to be it in the hunt. They would have be right there in the hunt for the wild card. That's where I'm like, okay, we're cooking something here. Yeah, no, I think that's realistic, Julie. And you're right. like doubling up on what they did last year, although, you know, it's hard because I'm like, I was even giving them four wins, and I know it was just three, but last year it was just so pathetic because of that start. And it was just like you would have hoped they would add at least a couple

more wins in there. But yeah, I think fans probably don't like hearing that and that frustrates them, but I always tell, you know, myself, it's a slow burn. Like, it's isn't, going to happen overnight where they're going to get back to being that, you know, division team that wins it. And like I, I understand that. It's going to take a minute. So my expectations, I always think probably a little bit higher. But yes, seven to eight, I think is doable. It's doable. And look, if they played like they did in the last stretch of games in the beginning of the year, I have no doubt they're beating Vegas. I mean, Sure.

That was the worst football game I've ever seen. And that was the Brian Callahan's last game. I have no doubt they beat Vegas. I mean, they took the Chargers to me. That was a one-score game. The Texans were a one-score game. The Seahawks were a one-score game. That's what I'm saying.

And, you know, that last game against Jacksonville, I know it was a blowout. But that one drive that Cam had when he got hurt, that might have been their best drive all season. Yep. And who knows what happens. in a much more competitive game if they're looking that way because we all said it after Cam got hurt in that final one. Oh, this game's over. Brandon Allen's going into the game. It's a wrap.

So there could have been maybe four or five wins under their belt last year. But obviously they ended up with a three and now that's where the bar is set for our expectations, at least for this team going into 2026. We can't wait for the schedule come out. That's next week. We're going to break all of that down next week around the Titans Squad show. Make sure to like, comment, subscribe, and listen to us wherever you get your podcast. And on YouTube live twice a week, make sure to watch the Locked-on Titans podcast with Tyler Roland every single day. But for now, I'm Julian Minnesone. That's Kayla Anderson.

We'll see you guys next week.