3 Things to Know About the Buccaneers vs. Titans Preseason Opener

USA Today

10 hours ago

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their 2025 preseason at home against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, August 9, kicking off three dress rehearsals before week 1. While preseason football doesn't count in the standings, it still holds real meaning for players, coaches, and fans watching roster battles unfold.
Here are three things to know heading into the Bucs' first tune-up of the year.
The Titans are a familiar preseason opponent, and the Bucs keep their AFC-only streak alive
Tampa Bay has faced the Titans multiple times in recent preseason history, including joint practices in past years. In fact, the Bucs hold a 7–5 edge in their all-time preseason series against Tennessee, which dates back to the Titans' days as the Houston Oilers. This game also marks the fifth consecutive year that the Buccaneers will face only AFC opponents in the preseason, continuing a clear scheduling trend under head coach Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht. While preseason results are often overlooked, the familiarity with Tennessee and the AFC-only schedule helps maintain consistency in how the Bucs approach early-season evaluations.
Joint practices offer a preview of top rookies and camp battles
Ahead of the game, the Buccaneers and Titans will hold joint practices in Tampa, giving coaches a chance to evaluate players in live, competitive settings before the lights come on Friday night. One of the most intriguing players to watch is Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ward is expected to play at least a few series during the preseason opener, and the Bucs' defense will give him one of his first NFL-level tests. On Tampa Bay's side, fans will get their first extended looks at rookies like wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson and rookie corners Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, all of whom have impressed early in camp. Joint practices will be especially valuable for fringe players and draft picks looking to secure second-team reps or special teams roles before the final roster cutdowns.
Depth evaluation will be the focus, not the final score
As with most preseason games, don't expect the stars to play much, if at all. Veterans like Lavonte David, Mike Evans, and Baker Mayfield may dress but are unlikely to see extended action. The real value in Friday night's game lies in the depth evaluation.
Players like Logan Hall, Trey Palmer, and newly signed linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (if healthy) are expected to play meaningful snaps as they fight for key backup roles. The Bucs' coaching staff will use this game to assess not just individual talent, but how well younger players execute under live-game pressure. For the Titans, this game also offers a test for their revamped offensive line and young secondary. Both teams are in talent-evaluation mode, making this more of a strategic and developmental night than a competitive showdown.