Cam Ward’s second season opened with a 23-10 loss to the New York Jets, but Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh is standing behind his young quarterback and the organization’s plan to develop him through a difficult start.
Key takeaways
- Ward completed 19 of 32 passes for 140 yards and took three sacks in Tennessee’s Week 1 defeat.
- The Titans’ only touchdown arrived on their final possession, after they had fallen behind 23-3.
- Saleh said the responsibility for the offensive struggles belongs to the coaching staff and the entire offense, not Ward alone.
- Tennessee has added rookie wideout Carnell Tate, free-agent receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and veteran backup Mitchell Trubisky around Ward.
- The Titans host the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
Titans remain committed to Ward’s development
Ward had offered encouragement late in his rookie campaign, throwing 10 of his 15 touchdown passes over the final six games while committing only one of his seven interceptions during that stretch. Tennessee entered his first year under Saleh hoping to see a more accurate quarterback with a stronger feel for the pocket.
Instead, both areas were exposed in the opener. Ward missed Robinson on a screen pass and Tyjae Spears on a swing route. He also did not connect with Tate, who had broken open on a crossing pattern.
Saleh said Ward displayed positive signs early in the game, even though the overall performance fell short. The coach said Ward, his teammates and the staff all must improve, with the quarterback needing to be more consistent in getting the ball to the right place.
Quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney said the balance between remaining in the pocket and escaping pressure is an instinctive part of the position. Tennessee works on those decisions daily, Tierney said, and will keep teaching Ward how to make the best choice on each snap.
Ward did not dispute that he must raise his level. He said he evaluates himself harshly because he wants to become a top player, and that he must continue accepting instruction from Saleh, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Tierney. Ward added that there were plays he helped create, but also chances where he could have done more for the offense.
Saleh’s central message is that Ward needs continuity. The coach noted that the second-year passer has worked with seven coordinators across the past seven years, and he believes Tennessee must give Ward a stable environment rather than demand an immediate finished product.
“We believe in Cam and we’re committed to him,” Saleh said. “Young players have to be allowed to develop. You never want to give up on someone and watch him go somewhere else and win a Super Bowl. He has the right mentality, and we will give him every chance to improve.”
That patience could be difficult to maintain for a franchise that has changed either its general manager or head coach in every year since 2022. It also comes as other young quarterbacks draw attention around the league. Tyler Shough, now with the New Orleans Saints, won Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, while Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes in the New York Giants’ opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Support system faces its first test
Saleh has experienced the pressure surrounding a highly drafted quarterback before. During his time as Jets coach, New York selected Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft. Wilson and Ward each guided their teams to three wins as rookies, but Wilson’s two-year opportunity ended after 22 starts in which he threw 15 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and totaled 4,022 passing yards. The Jets later traded for Aaron Rodgers.
Tennessee believes this situation is different because Daboll has a strong track record developing quarterbacks. Still, the Ward-Daboll partnership did not get the result it wanted in its first regular-season game together.
Daboll said the offense’s shortcomings were a shared failure. He said there were calls he wanted back, Ward would likely want some throws back, and the other 10 offensive players also had a role in the outcome. Daboll said accountability begins with him.
The Titans have attempted to build a better foundation around Ward. Tate arrived as the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, Robinson was brought in during free agency, and Trubisky signed as Ward’s backup and an experienced voice in the quarterback room.
Trubisky understands the scrutiny. Chicago selected him second overall in 2017, and he spent four seasons with the Bears before joining the Buffalo Bills as a reserve, where he first worked under Daboll. He said modern top draft picks are often expected to produce immediately rather than being given years to develop.
His advice to Ward is to remember the talent that made him a premium selection, focus on the factors within his control and keep believing in himself. Trubisky said every NFL quarterback will encounter setbacks because there are no easy games in the league.
Ward said he is focused on making weekly progress rather than dwelling on the Jets loss. He said Tennessee’s coaches continue pushing him toward the standard he expects of himself, and he is confident the story will change when the offense finds its rhythm.
His next chance comes Sunday against the defending NFC East champion Eagles at Nissan Stadium.
