2026 NFL Preseason, Week 2: What We Learned from Sunday's game
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- Ward, Titans O have another troubling time. Joey Slye's 55-yard field goal in the first quarter -- his fourth from 50-plus in two preseason games -- was the highlight for a Tennessee offense that’s a large cause for concern at this point. Slye had four field goals in all, as the Titans earned a win that was a distant second to the starters' performance. Cam Ward was better Sunday than he was in an ugly 5-of-12 showing the prior week, but it was nothing to get excited about. Facing Seattle backups, Ward was 8 of 12 for 69 yards, no touchdowns, no turnovers and an 81.6 rating. He was fortunate to escape without a giveaway after the Seahawks’ Chazz Surratt forced a fumble that rolled out of bounds on a Ward scramble in which the QB had the ball dangling low around his hip and Surratt swatted it away. Ward still flashed his potential, hitting Gunnar Helm on a scramble on the next play (Helm didn’t get both feet in bounds), and hooking up with Elic Ayomanor along the sideline earlier in the game. Pinpointing Tony Pollard in stride out of the backfield for a 33-yard gain was the biggest play for the Ward-led contingent. As Ward's second season draws nearer by the day, getting acclimated to Brian Daboll's offense and starting to turn his potential into results remains the largest story -- and concern -- for the franchise. In two preseason games, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft is 13 of 24 for 126 yards, no TDs and zero interceptions with six drives leading to 10 points. He was pressured four times and sacked once Sunday, while the running game mustered 10 yards in three Ward drives, underscoring that the quarterback’s play isn’t the only offensive issue.
- Lock, second-string offense hums. With Sam Darnold and the starters on the bench, Drew Lock led the Seahawks second-stringers on a smooth seven-play, 79-yard touchdown drive to open the game. It was the jumping-off point of a terrific preseason outing for the veteran backup, who hit on his first 11 attempts and led Seattle to points on three straight drives. Lock was perfect -- 4 for 4 for 63 yards, including a 36-yard play-action strike to Elijah Arroyo for a score down the seam -- on the opening march. He flexed his trademark strong arm, did well under pressure and had Seattle looking very impressive considering the initial backups-versus-Titans starters matchup. Third-stringer Jalen Milroe continues to be an intriguing project for Seattle, but Lock looked every bit like the trusty backup/starter-in-a-pinch that a contender wants on the roster.
- Wright place, Wright time. In discussing the post-Kenneth Walker III rushing game for the Seahawks, Jacardia Wright’s name hasn’t been mentioned much. Maybe it should. An undrafted free agent in 2025 who spent most of the season on injured reserve, Wright looked like a promising straight-ahead runner who could be a chain-mover between the tackles. He also has some moves in his skill set and a bit of burst. He glided through the middle for a 69-yard second-drive touchdown Sunday, hitting 20.93 mph, per Next Gen Stats. A week prior, Wright didn't play, but he’s now made a compelling argument for a roster spot and perhaps some opportunities. First-rounder Jadarian Price isn’t playing in the preseason. Zach Charbonnet continues his comeback from a torn ACL. Emanuel Wilson is nursing a hamstring injury. George Holani figures to get more opportunities in the regular season, but Wright could be a contributor.
- Titans starters struggle on D, as well. Tennessee’s starting defense began the game on the field, but the Seahawks’ second-string offense racked up 16 points in the first quarter, scoring on each of its three drives in that stanza. It was a given that the Titans offense would be a work in progress with a new offensive coordinator leading a second-year quarterback, but Robert Saleh can’t be pleased with this development. With All-Pro Jeffery Simmons as the centerpiece and Saleh at the helm, Titans success is likely to be predicated by the defense. If the offense continues to work through growing pains, the defense will need to pick up the slack. … On a positive defensive note, rookie linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. had an active and promising night, gobbling up a team-best seven tackles and nabbing a second-half interception.