Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans remain winless after three weeks, and head coach Robert Saleh believes the second-year quarterback’s progress will depend on improving his pocket comfort, mechanics and situational decisions.
What changed for the franchise
Tennessee fell to 0-3 with a 12-7 Week 3 defeat against the New York Giants, a game that exposed both the offense’s early dysfunction and its ability to find a late rhythm.
The Titans opened with five consecutive three-and-outs and produced only 54 total yards before halftime. Ward and the offense rallied with three extended possessions across the third and fourth quarters, but the comeback ended when Ward threw an interception in the closing seconds while trying to force a play.
Saleh said Ward’s development has been affected by the punishment he absorbed last season. Ward was taken down 55 times in 2025, matching Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith for the NFL’s highest sack total.
“He took a lot of sacks last year, so there may be some lingering effects from that,” Saleh said. “But he is improving. He is trusting what he sees, and his footwork is holding up longer as games go on. Accuracy and decisions at quarterback begin with the feet.”
Saleh said Ward has shown flashes of confidence behind Tennessee’s offensive line, only to return to less effective habits later in games.
“At times, he looks comfortable in the pocket and trusts the line,” Saleh said. “Then later, you can see some of those old tendencies return. Still, he is getting better, and he is beginning to recognize that the protection has been strong.”
Ward’s Week 3 performance followed that pattern. He struggled to establish timing in the first half and missed on several throws, then delivered more accurate passes after halftime as his confidence in the protection improved. His final interception, however, was the kind of critical-situation error he acknowledged must be eliminated.
“I did not perform well enough in the biggest moments,” Ward said. “When I needed to be at my best, I was not. That is something I have to address this week and carry into the next game.”
Saleh said offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and his staff are continuing to work closely with Ward as Tennessee looks for more consistency from its young starter.
“We expect to reach the point where he is playing freely and nobody is discussing this anymore,” Saleh said. “He works relentlessly, and Brian Daboll’s staff works relentlessly with him. They show him both where he needs to improve and what he has done well. We will continue building on it.”
The challenge will not ease for the Titans, with Baltimore and Houston next on the schedule as Tennessee searches for its first victory of 2026.
