Stu Jackson

Our offseason opponent breakdown series on theRams.com rolls on with Los Angeles' Week 2 road opponent, the Tennessee Titans (Nissan Stadium, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. PT on CBS).

2024

Tennessee's first season under head coach Brian Callahan saw a 3-14 finish, including six-straight losses to close out the season. The Titans clinched the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss to the Texans and the Patriots' win over the Bills in Week 18.

Key changes

After hiring Mike Borgonzi as their new general manager Borgonzi was previously with the Chiefs for 16 years, including the last four as their assistant GM the Titans used the No. 1 pick on Miami (Fla.) quarterback Cam Ward.

Tennessee also reshaped its coaching staffin multiple ways, including the hiring of veteran special teams coordinator John Fassel, who held that role for the Rams from 2012-19 and more recently for the Cowboys from 2020-24. The Titans also signed former Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett in free agency.

The offensive line was also revamped via the signings of former Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and former Lions guard Kevin Zeitler. With Moore's arrival, JC Latham selected seventh overall by the Titans out of Alabama in last year's draft will move from left tackle to right tackle. 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski and veteran Lloyd Cushenberry remain in place at left guard and center, respectively.

Head coach

Callahan enters his second season as head coach of the Texans.

What to watch for

New-look Titans offense led by Ward against an up-and-coming Rams pass rush

It should be noted that Ward and third-year quarterback Will Levis are evenly splitting reps in offseason workouts currently. A quarterback going No. 1 overall has rarely not started right away. Caleb Williams started Week 1 last year for the Bears, as did Bryce Young for the Panthers in 2023, Trevor Lawrence for the Jaguars in 2021, Joe Burrow for the Bengals in 2020, Kyler Murray for the Cardinals in 2019. You'd have to go back to 2018, when Tyrod Taylor started over Baker Mayfield, for the last example of it.

So, it would be a surprise if it's not Ward out there in Week 2 when the Rams take on the Titans in Nashville.

How will the Tennessee offense look with Callahan tailoring to Ward's skillset? Moreover, what difference will the reconfigured offensive line make against one of the NFL's best young pass rushing groups?

Sacks are not an exclusive indicator of pass protection, but the Titans did tie with the Patriots for fifth-most allowed (52) last season. Similarly, Next Gen Stats' pressure rate it defines pressure as "any pass attempt (or sack) where a defender is within 2 yards of the QB at pass forward or within 1.5 yards of the QB at any point during the play" had the Titans at 40.2%, second-highest in the NFL. The blame doesn't fall solely on the offensive line Levis held the ball too long at times. What will be in store for the Rams with a new quarterback under center and a reconfigured offensive line for the Titans?