The Tennessee Titans have had a dismal start to the 2026 season, and many fans and even former players are embarrassed by the Titans. After just six wins over the past two seasons and now off to a 1-7 start, it makes sense.

It’s frustrating, and almost coach-speak, but the Titans have made some strides in 2026, and although fans and some of these former players may not believe it, the football side of the organization has been upfront about this season laying a foundation and changing the culture.

Tyler Palmateer of the Nashville Tennessean spoke with former Titans, including Zach Pillar, Albert Haynesworth, and Dexter McCluster, who discussed their embarrassment, the business, culture, and shared their views on what must change.

“I take it very personally," Piller said. "I was drafted in 1999 to Tennessee, and there was a standard and a culture, and there was an identity when you’re talking about Bruce Matthews, Steve McNair, Eddie George, and Blaine Bishop. It was like, ‘Get in line, get with the program, win or get out.’

In many ways, that statement outlines the issues the current Titans regime faces, and instead of addressing the root cause, fans, local media, and even some former players want to acknowledge or mention it: a lack of quality veteran leadership or talent.

The reality is that only three players: Amani Hooker, Tyjae Spears, and Peter Skoronski remain from the 2019-2023 draft classes. Think about that. Of the 35 players drafted by John Robinson and Ran Carthon, only three remain with the organization, and 24 are completely out of the NFL. These players and draft classes should be the core, acting as McNair, George, or Bishop; instead, Tennessee got nothing.

Haynesworth was the closest, talking about real football people inside the organization, and the jury is out on whether this group has that; at the same time, even the best personnel guy in the league can’t immediately replenish a roster neglected for almost half a decade.

While CEO Burke Nihill has come under fire, this isn’t about him, and it really isn’t about Mike Borgonzi or Robert Saleh. This falls on years of neglect under previous regimes. Frustrating, absolutely; embarrassing, yes; but continually criticizing the current regime that's trying to pick up the pieces from the disaster they inherited isn't how you build culture; it’s how you create more dysfunction.