NASHVILLE — How do you figure out the best offensive line situation for an NFL team before the pads come on? As the Tennessee Titans work through the start of quarterback Cam Ward’s second season, his protection is a concern.

Offensive line competitions always feel like a “hurry up and wait” situation.

Robert Saleh provides an OL update

Tennessee’s OTAs were filled with things to learn about this week.

Ward and 2026 first-round pick Carnell Tate’s connection was an enjoyable watch. Getting a feel for the new coaching staff under Robert Saleh and the way they run things was, too. The offensive line under Carmen Bricillo had plenty of on-lookers.

It will be awhile before the team can practice in pads and hammer out the questions at center and right guard.

“We’re allowing [Jackson Slater] to work into that competition with regards to that right guard spot,” said Saleh. “He’s also got the flexibility and we’re kind of helping him along with regards to center too. But we’re going to give him every opportunity to win that right guard spot.”

The Titans took Slater out of Sacramento State in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

At 6-3 and 311 pounds, Slater emerging as an in-house option to replace veteran Kevin Zeitler would be ideal. He has next to no NFL experience with only 34 offensive snaps as a rookie. Tennessee did sign veteran guard Cordell Volson in free agency as another option.

Volson has started in 48 career games since 2022.

“I remember when I first got in the league,” Saleh said. “The spring OTA’s, even though we weren’t padded, I mean, it might as well have been padded how physical and violent these practices used to be. And now you’re going to see kind of a three-quarter speed between our O-line and D-line. So in that regard, it is tough. You are limited with regards to reps, but we’ll have joint practices that allow us to be able to see all that.

“We’ll have our three games, which will allow us see it. And then obviously, I mean, what better way to get to see a competition than guys trying to block Jeffery Simmons or John Franklin-Myers or the interior of our D-line. So there’s going to be a lot of opportunity. No, it’s not as good as it used to be, but we could still figure it out with what we have.”

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