Football fans, we made it.
The long summer wait is over. No more arguing about training-camp videos. No more reading 12 paragraphs about a quarterback’s footwork.
It’s time to actually watch some football.
On Thursday night, the Tennessee Titans travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in the first game of the NFL’s opening preseason weekend.
And while preseason records don’t mean much, this game has plenty worth watching.
Especially if you’re a Titans fan.
🏈 First Things First: Cam Ward Is Back
Remember the hype around Cam Ward?
The Titans selected him No. 1 overall in 2025, and now he’s entering Year 2.
Ward started all 17 games as a rookie and threw for 3,169 yards, breaking Marcus Mariota’s previous Titans rookie passing record. Even more encouraging: over his final nine games, Ward threw 10 touchdown passes against just one interception.
So this preseason isn’t about finding out whether Ward can play.
It’s about seeing whether he looks like the quarterback Tennessee can build around.
And there’s another reason to watch him:
Robert Saleh.
🧠 New Coach. New Titans.
Tennessee is starting over.
The Titans finished 3-14 in 2025, tied for the worst record in the NFL.
Now Robert Saleh is in charge.
This is a pretty interesting homecoming for Saleh because he spent two different stretches as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator before becoming the New York Jets’ head coach. Now he’s returning to the Bay Area wearing Titans blue.
And he’s bringing offensive coordinator Brian Daboll with him.
The message in Tennessee is simple:
Enough losing. Let’s build something.
Thursday night is the first tiny glimpse of what that looks like.
👀 Rookie Watch: Carnell Tate
If you want one rookie to watch, start here.
Carnell Tate.
Tennessee selected the former Ohio State wide receiver No. 4 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Then the Titans traded back into the first round and selected Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 31.
And Tate isn’t buried on the depth chart.
He’s currently listed as a starting wide receiver, alongside Calvin Ridley and Wan’Dale Robinson.
That’s a big deal.
Imagine the possibilities:
Cam Ward → Calvin Ridley → Wan’Dale Robinson → Carnell Tate
That’s a lot more interesting than what Titans fans have been used to seeing.
🔥 Other rookies worth watching
Keep an eye on:
- Keldric Faulk — EDGE
- Anthony Hill Jr. — LB
- Fernando Carmona Jr. — G
- Nick Singleton — RB
- Pat Coogan — C
The Titans’ entire 2026 draft class could see preseason action, according to the team’s game preview.
And Nick Singleton could be particularly fun to watch. Tennessee’s own preview points to the preseason opener as his opportunity to show what he can do at the NFL level.
🔴 Then There’s San Francisco
Don’t expect the 49ers to treat this like a meaningless Thursday night.
Well…
They’ll treat it like preseason.
But there’s still plenty to watch.
San Francisco went 12-5 in 2025, reached the playoffs and enters 2026 expecting to compete again. The 49ers ranked seventh in the NFL in total offense, averaging 351.4 yards per game last season.
And Kyle Shanahan?
Still running the show.
This isn’t a rebuild.
This is a reload.
The 49ers have championship expectations every year, and this season is no different.
👀 Watch Brock Purdy — But Don’t Expect a Full Game
Brock Purdy enters his fifth season, and the 49ers are counting on him to stay healthy and lead the offense.
He played only nine regular-season games in 2025 because of injury, although San Francisco still finished 12-5.
So if Purdy takes the field Thursday, don’t blink.
But don’t expect Shanahan to leave his franchise quarterback out there all night either.
The preseason is about evaluation.
Nobody gets a trophy for winning August.
🆕 The 49ers Have Rookies Too
San Francisco’s rookie class will also get an opportunity to make an impression.
Among the names to watch are:
De’Zhaun Stribling — WR
Kaelon Black — RB
Carver Willis — OL
Ephesians Prysock — CB
The 49ers selected their 2026 class with an eye toward adding depth around a veteran roster.
For these guys, preseason football is basically an extended job interview.
One big catch can change a roster conversation.
One big hit can change a depth chart.
One mistake can send a player back to the practice field.
That’s what makes preseason fun.
⚔️ Titans vs. 49ers: What Should Fans Watch?
Forget the final score for a minute.
Here are the five things that actually matter:
1. Cam Ward’s confidence
Does Year 2 Ward look faster?
More comfortable?
More decisive?
That’s the big one.
2. Carnell Tate’s debut
Can the No. 4 overall pick look like a legitimate NFL starter?
Titans fans are going to be watching every route.
3. Robert Saleh’s defense
Is Tennessee faster?
More aggressive?
More disciplined?
Saleh’s defensive identity should be one of the biggest storylines of the season.
4. San Francisco’s young players
The 49ers have established stars.
Now they’re looking for the next group of contributors.
Watch the players fighting for roster spots.
5. Who actually wants it?
Preseason football gets weird.
Backups become stars.
Unknown rookies suddenly look unstoppable.
And somebody you’ve never heard of becomes the player everyone is talking about Friday morning.
That’s football.
📊 2026 Expectations: Two Very Different Teams
Tennessee Titans:
The Titans aren’t being asked to win the Super Bowl this year.
They’re being asked to stop being one of the NFL’s worst teams.
After back-to-back 3-14 seasons, Saleh has a massive rebuilding project in front of him.
But there’s hope.
Cam Ward has another year under his belt.
Carnell Tate gives him another explosive weapon.
And Saleh brings defensive credibility.
San Francisco 49ers:
Different story.
The 49ers are coming off a 12-5 season and another playoff appearance.
Their expectations?
Contend.
Anything less than another serious playoff run will feel disappointing in the Bay Area.
🍿 Fun For Fans Final Take
Here’s the short-attention-span version:
Titans fans: Watch Cam Ward.
Rookie fans: Watch Carnell Tate and Keldric Faulk.
49ers fans: Watch the young guys fighting for roster spots.
Football fans: Watch the coaching.
And everybody?
Enjoy the fact that NFL football is finally back.
The scoreboard won’t tell us much Thursday night.
But the tape might tell us a whole lot.
Titans vs. 49ers. Thursday night. 8 p.m. CT.
Football is officially back.
Let’s play.
