Tennessee Titans Preseason Week 1 Expectations Against The San Francisco 49ers

The Tennessee Titans kick-off the 2024 preseason at home against the San Francisco 49ers to start the Brian Callahan era. After what has been an active offseason, the Titans will look to test their metal against one of the most accomplished franchises in the league. 

 

What We Know

Part of that is getting eyes on the starters as Tennessee has added multiple new faces and have young players in much bigger roles. One such player is second-year signal caller Will Levis, who is entering this game as the team’s starting quarterback. Levis has received praise from the coaching staff and teammates for his leadership so far in training camp.

He looks the part and will now get a chance to show how much he has grown on Saturday.

Tennessee has also brought in running back Tony Pollard and wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd this season. All three have been very productive in their respective careers. They will don the two-tone blue for the first time in a game and should see meaningful snaps.

Eyes will be on the new-look offensive line as well for Tennessee as this unit has some new additions.

The Titans added famed offensive-line guru Bill Callahan to the staff this offseason to help rehabilitate a unit that has struggled for the past couple of seasons. First-round pick tackle JC Latham and second-year guard Peter Skoronski will be the starters on the left side, while newcomer Lloyd Cushenberry will man the center position. 

With the abrupt retirement of projected starting right guard Saahdiq Charles, incumbent swing-man Dillon Radunz could man that spot with the first unit. Nicholas Petit-Frere is the projected starter at right tackle after missing much of last season due to suspension and injury. 

This game will also feature new coaches for the Titans who will be getting their first action as coordinators. Long-time defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson will be on the sideline as the defensive coordinator and Nic Holz will be the eyes in the booth serving in his first season as offensive coordinator.

It will be the first time in five seasons that Tennessee will have names that aren’t Mike Vrabel, Shane Bowen, Arthur Smith, Todd Downing or Tim Kelly on the sidelines.

Tennessee will have a totally new look and this first preseason game will be the coming out party to the fans and NFL world for this new era of Titans football.

 

What To Expect:

The Titans kick-off on Saturday August 8th at Nissan Stadium, 6pm CT/7pm EST. Here are some key things to watch for in their first preseason game.

Starters will play according to Callahan. He has expressed that he wants the first team to get reps in the preseason games.

Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears will be splitting first-team reps. Malik Willis and Mason Rudolph will battle for the backup quarterback position.

The jury is still out on whether if we will see the debut of cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Quandre Diggs and safety Jamal Adams. We might not be able to get a glimpse of this new look defense since it could be missing a few important players.