Ah, it’s game day.

Just hours away, the New York Jets will begin their 2026 season against the Tennessee Titans.

Here are the two players who Gang Green most needs to step up most to leave Nashville with a 1-0 record.

EDGE Will McDonald

2026 as a whole is a make-or-break season for Will McDonald.

While the Jets picked up his fifth-year option in May to keep him under team control through 2027, McDonald’s future still hasn’t been decided. This year will be integral in determining his value on an extension, and whether he even gets one from the Jets.

Right away, McDonald will be an important piece. Joseph Ossai is missing the season opener due to a foot injury, which is a massive loss. He was expected to be one of the Jets’ starters at EDGE and a key cog due to his balance between pass-rushing ability and run-stopping.

McDonald’s struggles as a run defender are well known. He has consistently graded out as one of the worst run-defending EDGEs over the past few seasons, and at this point in his career, he just is who he is in that area.

The question is: can he reach his elite ceiling as a pass rusher?

Cam Ward’s struggles against pressure are well documented. So are McDonald’s strong pass-rushing tools. It’s the perfect storm for McDonald to have a standout performance.

Over the past two seasons, McDonald has collected 21.5 sacks and 103 pressures. McDonald peaked with 10.5 sacks and 61 pressures in 2024, before those numbers fell to 8.0 and 42 in 2025. However, the decline could be attributed to the Jets’ poor secondary, which allowed QBs to get rid of the ball much quicker.

Right away, McDonald has a favorable matchup to prove he can return to or even exceed his 2024 season. He will play a crucial role in applying pressure on Ward and forcing him into mistakes.

CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr.

Not only is Jarvis Brownlee Jr. facing his former team today, but he’s also taking on more responsibility than usual.

The Jets’ expected starting slot cornerback, D’Angelo Ponds, is doubtful due to a calf injury. Ponds suffered the injury during one of the Jets’ first training camp practices, wiping out much of his summer and all of the preseason.

Now, Brownlee will be relied upon to step into a starting role. He has proven to be a reliable run defender, ranking 13th among 114 qualified CBs in Pro Football Focus’ run defense grade last season (78.3).

Coverage-wise, though, he had his woes. Along with a whopping nine penalties, he finished 102nd in PFF’s coverage grade (49.5), showcasing his struggles in that area.

He has to hold his own on Sunday, though, as he is expected to go head-to-head with Wan’Dale Robinson, the Titans’ starting slot receiver, who led the NFL in slot yards last season (675), while finishing second in receptions (60).

On paper, Robinson has the clear-cut advantage over Brownlee. It’s up to the former Titan to step up with a big performance to negate the on-paper mismatch. If Ward is able to get into a rhythm and consistently locate Robinson, or penalties start to pile up for the CB, things could quickly get ugly for the Jets’ defense.