Jets make easy work of Robert Salehs Titans in Geno Smiths triumphant start to second act
NASHVILLE — New quarterback, new coordinators and a new role for the head coach led to a welcome new result for the Jets.It was a rare stellar day for what is a very different 2026 team than the one that went 3-14 in 2025 under head coach Aaron Glenn.The Jets controlled the Titans from the start in the season opener at Nissan Stadium, laying a 23-10 loss on their former head coach, Robert Saleh, now the coach of the Titans, at Nissan Stadium.Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.
The game featured Act II as a Jet for quarterback Geno Smith, who was efficient (19 of 24 for 215 yards and no turnovers) and avoided the major mistakes that have often been his downfall.The win, too, averted any revenge on the part of Saleh, who was unceremoniously fired after five games in 2024, was stunned by the move and desperately wanted this one.About 30 minutes before the game during warmups, Saleh stood with his arms folded at the 50-yard line for about six minutes fixated on the Jets’ offensive warm-ups while his own team warmed up on the other side of the field.Jets receiver Garrett Wilson was the first to first to run up to Saleh and shake his hand.Running back Breece Hall followed a couple minutes later.Earlier, Saleh and Jets owner Woody Johnson, who fired him, exchanged what had to be awkward pleasantries on the field. Then the game began and, after a scratchy first half in which the Jets kept the Titans in the game, the Jets had their way with Saleh’s team.Saleh’s offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, fired by the Giants as their head coach last season, didn’t fare well, either. The Titans struggled mightily on offense with their quarterback, Cam Ward, the 2025 No.
1 overall draft pick, never finding a rhythm against the Jets defense, which is being called by Glenn this year.The Titans had a mere 112 yards of total offense through the first three quarters.This brings us to Glenn, w...