NASHVILLE – The Titans open the regular season on Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

Here are six things to look out for in the competition:

Everything is different for starting quarterback Will Levis. A year ago, he made his NFL preseason debut as a rookie in Chicago as the team’s third quarterback. On Sunday, he will return to Soldier Field as the team’s starter for the season opener, with new faces on the team and coaching staff. Levis also feels like a different person because he has put in so much work to get more comfortable and ready. We will soon find out how much Levis has improved.

Left tackle JC Latham will be lining up for the first time on an offensive line that looks very different this year, with center Lloyd Cushenberry under center. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan has preached technique and accountability since his first day on the practice field, and so far the group has seemed more disciplined. But the challenge on Sunday is big, against a fairly stout Bears defensive front that has seen defensive end Montez Sweat set a career high with 12.5 sacks in a season.

I’ve already mentioned all the changes twice, and I haven’t even mentioned that Derrick Henry is now a Raven. Everyone was reminded of that again Thursday night when they saw Henry in a Ravens uniform. Life after Henry begins for the Titans on Sunday, as running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears will share duties out of the backfield. Coaches have said their snap counts will be in the 50-50 range, but we won’t know for sure until games begin. If a back has a good hand, the team could bet on him. One thing is for sure: The Titans will be less predictable on offense this fall, and it will be interesting to see how the team uses the backs.

New defense against a rookie QB

The defense has also been overhauled, starting at the top, with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson now at the helm. Tennessee will have a ton of new players in play, from defensive tackles T’Vondre Sweat and Sebastian Joseph-Day to linebacker Kenneth Murray to L’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie and Quandre Diggs in the secondary. The Titans also have key returners, from Jeffery Simmons to Harold Landry and Arden Key to Jack Gibbens and Amani Hooker. Another newcomer, linebacker Ernest Jones IV, is still learning the ropes. How quickly this whole group comes together as a cohesive unit is one thing. How the Titans defend and pressure Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is another.

Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd bring two experienced receivers to the offense, each with a unique skill set that should improve the offense. Does Levis feel comfortable with his new receivers at this point? That’s one question. Another question revolves around receiver DeAndre Hopkins, whose status for Sunday’s game is still unclear. Hopkins has had limited practice this week as he recovers from a knee injury. The team’s latest injury report listed his participation in Sunday’s game as questionable. If Hopkins can’t play, returning players Treylon Burks and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will step in and do their part. One familiar face will line up for the Bears in the back row: No. 31: former Titans safety Kevin Byard.

Change is the theme of this first “Six Things to Watch” for the regular season, so the new kickoff format fits in well here and rounds things out nicely. Sure, we got a little taste of it in the preseason, but how much changes with the new, revamped kickoff will be revealed starting Sunday. The Titans hope to turn it into a game-winning play. Additionally, punter Ryan Stonehouse made it back for Week 1 after a lengthy rehab process and is expected to return to action. Veteran kicker Nick Folk looks to continue his consistent style – he enters the game with an NFL-record streak of 78 consecutive field goals from under 40 yards.