Titans’ OTA Day 7: Tate makes another big splash, Ward runs the offense and Trubisky answers

The Tennessee Titans opened their seventh day of organized team activities on Monday, June 8, with the session available to reporters and the focus split between execution and evaluation. Offensive highlights came early and often, with the team continuing to lean on quarterback-to-receiver timing in 7-on-7 and team periods. Defensively, the day produced a steady stream of breakups and interceptions as the first-string group tried to impose itself in red-zone scenarios before the offseason program tightens toward minicamp next week.

Rookie receiver Carnell Tate again served as Monday’s standout. During the first team period, Tate got behind the defense and hauled in a deep pass from Cam Ward with cornerback Micah Robinson defending. The play was listed as a gain of 50-plus yards and described as the sort of outcome that would have been a touchdown in a regular game. Tate finished with two catches on the day and, through three open OTAs, has a team-high 12 receptions. It reinforced what the Titans have been selling since training for the spring began: rapid acceleration into space and the ability to win at the top of routes.

Ward’s workload reflected the Titans’ broader QB process. In Monday’s practice, Ward completed 9 of 18 passes, including 4 of 6 in 7-on-7 and 5 of 12 in team periods, plus an interception. The interception came on a throw intended for tight end Gunnar Helm, with safety Kevin Winston making the pick. Ward also had throwaways during the session, and the Titans’ staff treated the practice as a chance to measure decision-making within structure. Through the first three open OTAs, Wyatt reported Ward’s combined mark at 37 of 66 in 7-on-7 and team drills.

The quarterback competition also got a noticeable jolt from Mitchell Trubisky, who missed the previous two open OTAs after his wife gave birth to the couple’s second child last month. On Monday, Trubisky produced the best overall day of the quarterbacks, going 13 of 15 in the combined segments that included 10-of-12 in team periods and a perfect 5-for-5 in a late red zone period. Receiver Bryce Oliver caught a red-zone touchdown from Trubisky, getting two feet in the corner while cornerback Latrell McCutchin Sr. defended. In a voluntary program with limited live contact, those team-period reps matter most for timing and rhythm.

On the defensive side, Jermaine Johnson’s early impact showed up in back-to-back moments. Wyatt reported Johnson broke up a Ward screen pass on the second play of practice, then later ran down Tyjae Spears after Spears made a catch. Linebacker Shad Banks Jr. added another turnover moment by intercepting Will Levis on a pass intended for receiver K.J. Osborn. Levis also had completed plays downfield, including a connection with rookie tight end Jaren Kanak and a separate red-zone scoring catch to rookie receiver Hank Beatty, while also taking part in the day’s basket-drill work with the quarterbacks.

The Titans maintained a steady emphasis on situational football. Wyatt noted that when the offense turned the ball over, or failed to score in red zone periods, the whole unit performed push-ups. That approach is less about the final scoreline and more about how each group responds to negative plays within scripted structures. The Titans also continued to rotate through skill development, including the basket drill from 40, 30, and 20 yards, where Will Levis was credited with four completions and the best total among quarterbacks.

Next, the offseason calendar moves quickly. The Titans are scheduled to return on Tuesday for OTA No. 8, with additional OTAs set for Thursday and Friday. Those practices are expected to bridge into minicamp next week, with the team wrapping up the offseason program with a minicamp that starts June 16, according to the club’s prior OTA rundown. Monday’s open session offered another snapshot of roles within the offense and defense, and the next practices will show whether Tate’s early momentum and the quarterbacks’ red-zone timing carry over into the final OTAs before the mandatory phase begins.