The pads came on - so did the fireworks
The Tennessee Titans took the next step in training camp Monday as the pads finally came on for the first time this training camp. The intensity immediately ramped up, with louder collisions, fiercer competition, and several players making strong statements on both sides of the ball. Here are five of the biggest observations from Day 4 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center.
Cam ward delivers his best day of practice
Cam Ward wasn't flawless, but Monday marked his best practice of training camp. The rookie quarterback looked increasingly comfortable operating Brian Daboll's offense, completing several impressive throws throughout the afternoon, including a strike to Wan'Dale Robinson across midfield and a perfectly placed pass to Calvin Ridley on third-and-15 that drew one of the loudest reactions from the crowd.
Ward's day wasn't without mistakes. His first interception came after escaping a collapsing pocket and attempting an ill-advised cross-body throw toward Wan'Dale Robinson. Veteran safety Amani Hooker baited the rookie into the throw before stepping in front of it for the interception.
The second fault of Ward today was another INT that was scooped up by Jermaine Johnson who was on the edge and swiped the ball at a bad moment. Now, you may see the stats of 2 additional INT's in camp so far, but Cam Ward has shown a steady growth in command and comfortability of this offense.
So far, Ward is tallied at 46-of-76 with three interceptions so far in camp.
Ward is building chemistry with his receivers
WR Calvin Ridely sets his eyes on a ball in a training camp drill
— Credit: Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
One trend becoming more apparent each day is Ward's willingness to spread the football around. While Wan'Dale Robinson continues to see the most targets, Calvin Ridley remains the quarterback's go-to playmaker in key situations. Ridley hauled in perhaps the catch of the day on Ward's third-and-15 strike, while Robinson consistently found openings underneath.
Carnell Tate wasn't featured as heavily Monday, but that shouldn't raise concern. Training camp often rotates opportunities, and Monday simply belonged to Robinson and Ridley.
THis D-Line will be fiesty
One of the most overlooked additions the Titans made this offseason was hiring defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton. The DL coach was seen harping on the position group after what seemed like a lack of urgency and toughness.
In response to that, star DT, Jeffery Simmons was seen getting chippy with RT JC Latham after a play in team drills. No fight with fists thrown occurred, but the energy was present after Whitecotton made it known he wanted to see more out of his defensive line. This attitude will pour even more into an already talented position group.
In practice, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II recorded the defense's second interception of the day, dropping into coverage before undercutting a Cam Ward pass over the middle. Head coach Robert Saleh called it an "elite" play afterward, and the film backed up every bit of that praise.
Tyjae Spears is an x-factor
No other person on this Titans team this whole offseason has been more included in the offense as a whole than Tyjae Spears. The 4th year Tulane product was heavily involved not just in running the ball but also receiving the ball in the first padded practice of training camp.
Spears enters a contract year with - for the 1st time - no questions about his overall health and availability with the upcoming season. Today in practice, Spears was seen taking handoffs that should have been squashed at the line of scrimmage, but turned them into big gains down the field.
Spears is a player that should catch the attention of Titans fans. With new OC Brian Daboll at the helm, we can find the RB being more involved in a more well rounded ways than we have seen before with Tyjae Spears. He will be an X-Factor this upcoming season.
Jermaine Johnson reminds everyone why Tennessee wanted him
The first padded practice of training camp produced one of the day's biggest defensive highlights when edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II dropped into coverage and intercepted rookie quarterback Cam Ward over the middle. It wasn't just another takeaway—it showcased the athleticism that made Johnson a first-round pick. After practice, head coach Robert Saleh called it an "elite" play, and it was easy to see why. Johnson diagnosed the route, flipped his hips with ease, and closed on the football like a seasoned linebacker before securing the interception.
That play is another reminder of why there's plenty of optimism surrounding Johnson entering the 2026 season. Despite having his 2024 campaign cut short by an Achilles injury, Johnson has already proven he can be a disruptive defender. In 2023, he totaled 55 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks, seven passes defended, and an interception, earning a reputation as one of the league's most versatile young edge defenders. Now reunited with Saleh—who helped develop him early in his career—Johnson looks poised to become a cornerstone of Tennessee's defense if he stays healthy.
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