Gus Bradley - Head Coach, titans Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-10 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 10, 2026, Gus Bradley addressed the media in a press conference as the Titans prepared for their upcoming game. The discussion focused on the team's strategies and adjustments as they approached the first week of the NFL season, highlighting player readiness and the challenges of facing a new offensive coordinator.
Transcript
Bradley: back at history. Some things we felt we need to work on if they went back and kind of self-scouted us. And we did a good job of that last week and we're all on the Jets now. First, second, third down, red zone. So it's coming together pretty good. The guy's done a great job understanding kind of what we're trying to gear our plan towards.
Reporter: How ready do you feel like Anthony is if he needs to play if Cedric's not clear?
Bradley: He's done a good job. He's been very impressive as training camp's gone on. You know, understanding the defense. It's one thing to understand your position, understand what you need to do in your particular role, but also, you know, take charge of the defense. So I think he's really done a good job with that of late.
Reporter: How much of a liar is week one and how do you kind of handle that as a coach?
Bradley: Yeah, I think, you know, when you go about it, week one it's always a little bit of a crapshoot. You know, sure, especially now with Frank being a new offensive coordinator, some of the new staff came over from Detroit. So it's like, all right, what do we think they're thinking and, you know, that whole game that you're putting together. So there's gonna be some things that we feel pretty confident about and then we just know that we're gonna have to adjust a little bit on the run too as we see kind of their personality. The things that are very evident is they're a very good running team. You know, the offense line, they did a really good job with building that offense line. The running backs are really good, talented. Reese, I mean, he's what leads the NFL and check downs that turn into touchdowns or yardage, you know, in the last couple of years. So they've got multiple threats on the outside. So they, you know, we anticipate seeing a good balance, trying to establish the run and then some play action off of that.
Reporter: When you talk about getting a game plan together, can you kind of take us through the process of how a game plan goes from, you know, being formulated to be an execute by the scout team on the field and what their role is and get you on this run?
Bradley: Sure. Well, we try to, I mean, we try to, we understand who we are and what we're gonna do and then we kind of forecast, try to see how teams might try to attack us and then we'll take those looks and a lot of times we get a lot of our looks just in walkthrough because there's limited practice play reps that you get. So the practice itself is maybe particular looks we want to see, particular areas. It might be a, this section, we want to see some boots, this section, we want to see some play action, this section, we want to see some dropback and then we hone it in to particularly what type of dropback, what type of boots we want to see and that's a little bit of forecasting. So we bring the scouts in and look at the play to try to execute as well as they can to mirror what we're possibly gonna see and then we go play ball.
Reporter: Can you tell the rookies about the jump in intensity from pre-season to regular season?
Bradley: Well, it is. You know, I think every vet will say that, right? Like, okay, you know, it's on now. So hopefully through practice, our intensity in practice and going in the joint practices, I mean, they can feel a glimpse of a joint practice, kind of the intensity, but there's nothing like playing, you know, on Sunday. So there'll be a little learning curve for those guys, but I think they'll, they've been prepared through practice, our joint practices and just our vets speaking up what it's like that they'll be able to adjust.
Reporter: How key is it to this defense to B to A, to get the ball and B, disguising, man and zone?
Bradley: Yeah, I think it's very important. Anytime that you can create a seed of doubt with a quarterback, I think that's very important. So it works hand-in-hand. It's not just on third down, first and second down. Get, you know, change the picture, give them different looks. Try to create some confusion, but really it's just that seed of doubt because many times if you get a quarterback to hitch, you know, a lot of times that, you know, it works to your advantage. So very important.
Reporter: How much have you guys played in the pre-season but tackling in week one? How much do you preach fundamentals? How much do you have to work through some expected maybe sloppiness?
Bradley: Right. Well, I think if you remember back in the beginning, there's, we give the illusion of space and it's important to eat up the space, right? That was day one when we had our conversation and that part hasn't changed in our zone coverages. So to go out there and tackle, that's where you do see quite a few missed tackles in the first couple weeks, especially, you know, with the speed of it. Again, hopefully the joint practices but you're not really bringing them down. So, you know, I think it's more of a fundamental principle for us to talk angles, leverage, approach, things like that. Now they got to utilize those tools.
Reporter: Where are you guys in that eating up the space in zone coverage aspect? I know that there were a lot of completions in those pre-season games that maybe...
Bradley: Yeah, it's not where we want it to be. You know, I think the players understand that part of it but there's glimpses, you know, where you see it and I think some of it is when you put in a new game plan or you install, you're really watching that part of it. You know, can they execute the game plan and still play at a high speed and we'll never jeopardize their ability to play fast. If we feel like there's so much in, so much talk about what we need to do that eliminates that part of it, then we didn't do a good job as a coaching staff. So, first and foremost, that's what we hope to see on Sunday as a unit that plays extremely fast and violent.
Reporter: You mentioned, you know, trying to change up things and use a quarterback. How much more difficult is it when you're facing a veteran like Gino that's pretty much seen everything?
Bradley: Yeah, I was with Gino, you know, at the Chargers and understand kind of his mindset. Now, that's been some years ago and he's developed even more and he's a savvy vet that has seen a lot of different looks. So, again, it's just, it's at those opportune times, right? Like you need a big play, you know, get back on track or a third down. Can you create that seed adult like we talked about to where you have a chance to kind of rally and make a big play?
Reporter: What's scouting report on him? How's, how's it going to fit in?
Bradley: Yeah, I really like Gino. I mean, big tall corner, a lot of length to him, physical, did well in special teams as well. Yeah, he's got the skill set. That's very intriguing. We're excited about having him here.
Reporter: What's that? What do you tell him when he comes in the door? Just how quickly can you catch him up?
Bradley: I think that he can get caught up pretty quickly. He's playing an up ball. He's been in a couple systems. So, you know, that part of it, I think he'll just, he was really sharp in our meetings when we were with them. And I think nothing less that that would be the man that comes into this building as well.
Reporter: I know everybody knows everybody in the league, but is there an advantage to having worked with the opposing senior?
Bradley: Well, I mean, Frank will know, right? Like he's probably watching this and saying seed adult. That was gussing my conversation. So, and he's right. He's right. So I loved it. I thought he was a great man, great person to work with. I really, really enjoyed the time and just wish that it extended a longer period of time. But he has a really good offensive mind and to be there with them in the building every day and kind of tap that stuff and how he sees it and how quarterback sees it was very big for me.
