NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans guard Pete Skoronski sat down on the SeatGeek Terrace after practice Tuesday, fresh off an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and delivered one of the more revealing interviews of training camp.

The highest-paid guard in NFL history talked practice intensity, Cam Ward’s growth, the offensive line’s identity, and Friday’s joint practice against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

And Skoronski didn’t hold back when describing the level of difficulty this camp has presented.

These Titans practices have been the hardest of Skoronski’s career

“I think these practices have been as hard as I’ve been a part of,” Skoronski said. “I think just the volume of plays. I mean, it almost feels like a game in terms of how many plays we’re getting in. It’s a lot of reps. It’s a lot of physicality. This front is really tough to go against, not just Jeff, but all four guys.”

Skoronski credited the entire defensive front for pushing the offensive line technically and physically, noting that the heat and sheer volume of reps have made each session feel closer to a regular-season game than a typical August workout. The team has introduced a “Chill Box” at halftime of practice to help players recover, and Skoronski said the addition has been welcome.

“Saturday and Monday, it was really, really hot,” Skoronski said. “Everyone got in there, as many people as we can get in there.”

Skoronski sees a different level of confidence from Cam Ward

One of the most encouraging developments Skoronski identified is the growth of quarterback Cam Ward entering his second training camp. Ward’s command of the huddle has taken a noticeable leap from where it was a year ago.

“Early on last year, maybe trouble relaying some play calls and stuff, which is totally normal for any first-year quarterback, but now he really, really seems on top of his stuff,” Skoronski said. “His command is excellent. He’s a really confident guy. It seems like every play he calls he feels is going to be a touchdown by the way he says it. That’s a great thing to have as an offensive lineman because you just feel confident in what he’s doing.”

Skoronski credited offensive coordinator Brian Daboll for helping Ward grow comfortable with the volume of the playbook and the speed at which calls need to be relayed. That kind of trust between quarterback and offensive line can’t be manufactured. It has to be earned through reps, and Skoronski sounds like a believer.

“I think he’s gonna be a star,” Skoronski said.

Running the ball changes everything for this offensive line

Skoronski pointed to the preseason opener as a source of genuine excitement. Tennessee’s ability to run the football effectively stood out, a stark contrast to 2024 when the Titans spent too many snaps in obvious dropback situations.

“As an offensive lineman, you like to run the ball,” Skoronski said. “You don’t want to be in the dropback game as much. You don’t want them to tee off. So that was a great feeling for sure. I think anytime you’re staying on schedule, you’re running the ball, you have a little bit of an element of variety, I think it’s great for an offensive line.”

That balance matters more than people realize. When a defense knows the pass is coming, the job for an offensive lineman becomes exponentially harder. A credible rushing attack gives Skoronski and his linemates the ability to dictate terms rather than react to them.

Seattle presents the ultimate measuring stick on Friday

The joint practice against the Seahawks on Friday will be the toughest test this offensive line faces before the regular season. Skoronski called Seattle the best defense in the league alongside Houston and seemed genuinely eager for the challenge.

“You couldn’t ask for a better challenge,” Skoronski said. “It’s going to be really competitive. They’re going to be really physical. There’ll be a little chippy, I’m sure, but great experience for us to learn, to see a different style of front, different style of scheme defensively overall.”

Skoronski went back and watched last year’s regular-season matchup against the Seahawks a few days ago. He came away impressed again by Ward’s poise in that game, which came against the defense that eventually won the Super Bowl.

“When you see your starting quarterback do stuff like he did in that game, I think that’s encouraging going forward,” Skoronski said.

As for the inevitable dust-ups that come with joint practices, don’t expect Skoronski in the middle of any scrum. He joked that the time between plays is better spent catching his breath than throwing punches.

“I feel like the job is hard enough in terms of blocking and what and who I have to block in practice,” Skoronski said. “There’s no time to fight, in my opinion.”

That pragmatic mentality has defined Skoronski since he arrived in Nashville. Now the highest-paid guard in NFL history, he’s spending his money on fish and plants for his 29-gallon aquarium rather than flashy purchases. It’s a steady, no-nonsense approach that shows up on the field every day, and the Titans need that consistency more than ever as they prepare for a season with legitimate expectations.