Tennessee
Titans Fall to Aaron Rodgers, Jets in Home Opener
The Tennessee Titans have suffered back-to-back losses to begin the Brian Callahan era after falling to the New York Jets in Nashville on Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdowns and the Jets stopped the Titans at the goal line in the game’s final seconds as New York held on for a 24-17 win.
Titans quarterback Will Levis went 19 of 28 passing for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed four carries for 38 yards and lost a fumble. Tennessee receiver Calvin Ridley finished with four catches for 77 yards and two total touchdowns.
The Jets were led by their running backs. Rookie Braelon Allen had seven carries for 33 yards and the go-ahead 20-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He also caught a 12-yard score in the second quarter. New York star running back Breece Hall had 14 carries for 62 yards to go along with seven catches for 52 yards and a 26-yard score.
Levis led a scoring drive during Tennessee’s second possession of the game, as Ridley took an end-around 10 yards to the end zone to put the Titans up 7-0 early.
The Titans were primed to add on to this after the defense forced another Jets punt, but Levis committed an inexcusable turnover for the second straight week. On 3rd and goal, he attempted to flip the ball back to Tyjae Spears as he was getting sacked. He would’ve been better off going down, as Spears was unable to catch the ball as the Jets recovered the fumble.
After a third straight Jets punt, Levis tossed an interception on a deep pass intended for Treylon Burks. This gave Rodgers and the offense life, as he led a scoring drive that ended with the touchdown pass to Allen.
Tennessee added a field goal and led 10-7 at halftime.
The Jets flipped the script to start the second half. Hall scored on the first drive of the third quarter before New York blocked a Titans punt a few plays later, which led to a field goal. The Jets suddenly had a 14-10 lead.
Levis responded with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ridley. The two teams then traded punts on four straight possessions headed into the fourth quarter.
Once the Jets got the ball back, Rodgers made the Titans pay, leading a seven-play, 74-yard drive that ended with Allen’s go-ahead 20-yard score with 4:31 left in the game.
The Titans put together a 13-play drive looking to tie the game but Levis’ pass to Tyler Boyd fell incomplete on 4th and goal.
Tennessee will look to avoid an 0-3 start next week in a reunion game vs. Malik Willis and the Green Bay Packers.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
More Vols News
Tennessee
Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal
Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.
Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.
Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.
Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape
The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.
Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.
Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.
Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.
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