Despite a shaky performance against San Francisco’s backups, Tennessee's coaching staff remains calm. Now, the high-priced secondary must tighten coverage and prove their preseason struggles were merely a fluke.
If you watched how the Tennessee Titans defense played versus the San Francisco 49ers, it might've raised some red flags.
With Brock Purdy and Mac Jones both not playing, the Titans faced third-string quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Rourke is entering his second year in the NFL after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Rourke marched the offense down the field on the 49ers' first drive. He quickly established a connection with rookie De'Zhaun Stribling and second-year receiver Jordan Watkins.
Stribling is a rookie, and Watkins played in four games for the 49ers last season. The Titans' secondary made them look like Pro Bowlers.
Stribling had 63 receiving yards, and Watkins ended the night with 59.
Cor'Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor didn't look up to par, considering how much money the Titans paid them in free agency.
The run defense looked very good, limiting the 49ers to 84 yards on the ground. The secondary let up 260 passing yards to Rourke and Adrian Martinez.
After the game, Robert Saleh was asked if he was concerned about the play from the secondary.
Saleh didn't seem very concerned about how the cornerbacks played.
"It's just continuing to rep what we're asking them to accomplish, understanding formations, you know, you're not game planning, so you're not really recognizing formations, recognizing tendencies as we go," Saleh said. "But at the same time, just from a man coverage standpoint, being able to win your one-on-ones when those one-on-ones are presented. There's never panic. But is there urgency? There's always urgency from the second we stepped on the football field till the day the season's over. There's going to be urgency to get better."
At the end of the day, it's still the preseason. This Titans team still needs to get more out of its starting corners.
To have a third-string quarterback dismantle you through the air should be a wake-up call, even if it is during the preseason.
The good news is that the Titans have two more games to show that the cornerback play has improved. The revolving door we saw at cornerback last year isn't a sustainable way to win games in the NFL.
Saleh is a defensive-minded head coach, so he'll work closely with every part of the defense.
With second-year players like Marcus Harris and Micah Robinson returning to the team, Taylor and Flott need to set the tone.
Regardless of what quarterback is out there with the Seattle Seahawks starters on Sunday, we need improved cornerback play.
