According to the Titans’ official website, Saleh said he expects his starters to play roughly between 20 and 25 snaps, and perhaps even until halftime. Getting Ward ready for Week 1 is a must for this team.

What other options does the head coach have on the depth chart to see them on the field against the Seahawks? The first backup is Mitchell Trubisky, while Will Levis and Hendon Hooker are further down the depth chart.

How did Ward fare in preseason Week 1?

In what was a 19-13 victory over the 49ers, Cam Ward started the game for the Titans, playing the first three drives before being replaced by Mitchell Trubisky in the second quarter. He finished 5-of-12 passing for 57 yards across three drives, with Carnell Tate as his primary target during his time on the field.

Cam Ward’s sophomore season has the Titans generating plenty of excitement, as they look to improve on their disappointing 3-14 record from last season, which left them at the bottom of the AFC South.

Another test for the Titans

Beyond what should be a tough and intriguing test against the Seahawks, the defending Super Bowl champions, the Titans will wrap up their preseason with an important Week 3 matchup. Back at Nissan Stadium, Saleh will have to devise a game plan to face the Chicago Bears on Saturday, August 29, bringing Tennessee preseason slate to a close.

Starting quarterbacks—and NFL starters in general—rarely play more than a couple of drives in Week 1 of the preseason. For example, San Francisco’s quarterback Brock Purdy won’t play against Tennessee in the preseason. Regardless, Ward made his intentions clear as the Titans take on the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

“Cam Ward said he’s excited to get more than a couple of drives in the preseason game on Thursday. Ward said he’s looking forward to getting into a rhythm,” Turron Davenport of ESPN NFL Nation reported on his X account.

Ward won’t play much

Albeit his personal wish for the upcoming preseason game against the Niners, it’s unlikely Saleh and the Titans will risk Ward by playing him for too long. It’s only the first preseason game, at the end of the day.

As important as it is for Ward and Tennessee that the starting quarterback finds his footing before Week 1 of the NFL regular season, keeping him safe and away from injuries or setbacks is paramount.

Ward will get his chance to lead more than a couple of drives and play up to an entire quarter or half later in the preseason. For the time being, he must be content with stepping onto the field for a couple of drives.

Who will be playing instead of Ward?

Ward will start the game for the Titans against the Niners but will be replaced early on. Instead, backup quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky, Will Levis, and Hendon Hooker will share most of the offensive drives.

They have much more to prove, as there is no debate over who the Titans’ starting quarterback is, but the QB2 role is still up for grabs.

Ward wants to walk his talk

Coming off a heated week of joint practices against the 49ers, Ward wants to send his message on the field. That’s not to say he didn’t engage in the trash talk throughout the week, though. According to reports from practice, Ward and San Francisco star Fred Warner went at it, though it was all in good competitive spirit.

“Yeah, [Warner was talking a lot]. I got him riled up a little bit. But that’s what I want to see. I want him to be at his best, so when I’m at my best, I know what I can and can’t do in a game,” Ward said after the Titans’ joint practice with the Niners. “He helped me out a lot. I started talking (expletive). The right things to say to a guy like that, because they don’t hear that a lot from specific quarterbacks.”

While Warner will likely play limited snaps as well in the opening week of the NFL Preseason, Ward is looking to send a message in the few plays he goes up against the 49ers’ starting defense, and show them he is nothing to play with entering his sophomore year in the league.

Last season, the Titans acquired Cam Ward at No. 1 overall to serve as the team’s franchise quarterback. Now, the front office has provided him with a premier wideout in Carnell Tate, whom the signal-caller is incredibly excited to see in action.

“He’ll have an explosive year just because he’ll get a lot of one-on-one matchups,” Cam Ward said Thursday, via ESPN. “That’s what we want. We want guys to come down and play, man, because we think we can beat him.”

The Titans’ rebuild may pay off soon

With Cam Ward’s arrival last year, the Titans checked off one of the biggest items on their to-do list. They finally have a franchise quarterback under center, and the rebuilding process is picking up serious momentum.

This offseason, Tennessee made some massive waves. They signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who Cam Ward knows is an elite player, drafted Carnell Tate fourth overall, and—perhaps most importantly—completely overhauled their coaching staff.

Robert Saleh has taken over as the new head coach, bringing on Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator. With two seasoned minds leading the charge, it is clear that the front office expects immediate results rather than a prolonged rebuild, aiming to maximize Ward’s early years and capitalize on their extensive offseason investments.

The unpredictable AFC South

Last season, the Colts, Jaguars, and Texans were all regarded as legitimate division contenders at various points. Ultimately, Jacksonville secured the AFC South crown, Houston advanced as a wild-card team, and Indianapolis faded during the second half of the campaign.

Given this ongoing unpredictability, the Titans have a prime opportunity to jump back into the thick of the playoff race. None of their rivals have completely dominated the division in recent years. With a revamped roster and an elite new coaching staff, Tennessee are well-positioned to exploit that instability and emerge as the ultimate dark horse in the AFC South.

“I try to observe people from afar, and Cam is there every day,” he said, via Jim Wyatt of the team’s official website. “Obviously we can’t talk ball with him (because of NFL rules), but I can watch him interact with the people in the building.

“I think it is very impressive for a young man to walk through the building and know everybody by name from the janitors to the chefs to the trainers, and he addresses them by name. He is a really, really good man. I just think his head is on the right way, he has the right work ethic. I just don’t see him failing.”

The best is yet to come

After a solid rookie campaign with the Tennessee Titans, Cam Ward is poised to take a significant leap in his second NFL season. In 2025, Ward recorded 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, showing flashes of the elite dual-threat potential that made him a first-round pick.

To elevate these numbers in 2026, he will benefit from a modernized offense under new head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. With his completion percentage sitting at 59.8% and having faced 55 sacks last year, Ward’s focus is on improving his pocket efficiency and quick decision-making.

If the Titans successfully surround him with more playmakers in the upcoming draft, Ward has a clear path to becoming one of the league’s most productive young quarterbacks.

Daboll arrives to boost Ward

Another new face in Tennessee is offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. The former Giants coach brings experience in developing quarterbacks, which has Saleh extremely excited.

“That’s going to be awesome,” Saleh said. “I’m sure they’ll bicker at each other every once in a while, and they’ll challenge each other often. But that is the exact temperament that you want out of your quarterback.”

“For me, being that valuable target, always being able to be open for a guy. They told me that they needed somebody like that. So that was really what got me, and just being able to grow with a young quarterback to see where he can get to,” he said via ESPN.

The wide receiver also added: “My job is to get open. Just go out there and get open for Cam, and the targets will come.”

His numbers speak for themselves

Coming off a career-defining 2025 season with the Giants, Wan’Dale Robinson arrives in Tennessee as a proven high-volume weapon. Last year, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time, recording 92 receptions and 4 touchdowns in 16 games.

His consistent ability to separate made him one of the most targeted receivers in the league, and he now brings that elite production to Nashville.

This new connection with Ward promises to be explosive, as Robinson’s reliable short-area quickness and veteran presence provide the perfect safety valve for the QB’s development in the Titans‘ revamped offense.

Ward’s second season

After being selected first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cam Ward delivered a solid rookie campaign for the Tennessee Titans, throwing for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions across 17 games.

While his debut season had its share of growing pains, Ward showed elite pocket presence and playmaking ability, finishing with an 80.2 passer rating.

Entering his second year, Ward is expected to display greater maturity and command of the offense, especially as he recovers from a minor shoulder injury and benefits from new offensive weapons.

The Titans are coming off another forgettable season, recording a 3-14 record for the second consecutive year. That lack of progress prompted the front office to overhaul the coaching staff and Daboll’s arrival is specifically designed to maximize the potential of Ward, who is coming off a solid rookie campaign and described Daboll with three words.

“He’s a fiery coach,” the Titans QB said, via the team’s website. “He is going to get on my a— when he needs to, and he is going to hold me to a high standard. And that’s the standard I want to be held to”.

Ward’s first season in the NFL was a bright spot despite the team’s overall finish. The rookie completed 323-of-540 passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, posting a passer rating of 80.3. He also added 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Furthermore, Ward etched his name into the franchise record books. His 540 passing attempts now rank as the third-highest single-season total in team history, trailing only Warren Moon, who recorded 655 attempts in 1991 and 584 in 1990.

Ward on Saleh’s hiring

After a dismal season that left the franchise searching for answers, the Titans have turned to Robert Saleh to lead their rebuilding effort. Saleh arrives in Nashville with a sterling reputation, most recently serving as the architect of San Francisco 49ers‘ defense.

Ward was quick to voice his approval of the move, viewing Saleh’s arrival as a vital step in the Titans’ evolution. The young passer emphasized that this isn’t just about a change in the coaching office, but about establishing a connection that can transform the team’s fortunes in every game.

“I think it’s a great hire, especially for the team and where we want to be identity-wise, what we want to put on the field…” Ward said of Saleh. “So, I am excited to have him as my head coach, and excited to get some wins for him. It has been good getting to know him, especially him starting to learn more about me, and me learning more about him. We want to create that relationship and be able to carry it over onto the field”.

Although Sanders put together a very strong finish to the 2025 NFL season, he didn’t do enough to outshine the Tennessee Titans’ and New York Giants’ first-round selections, Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, respectively. The products of Miami and Ole Miss—who recently watched their alma maters square off in an instant classic at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl—proved why they were viewed as the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class.

With head coaching vacancies looming for both franchises, it makes sense that Harbaugh may be interested in guiding one of the two young signal-callers. According to a report from an NFL insider, the Super Bowl-winning head coach is doing his due diligence on both up-and-coming stars.

“John Harbaugh is spending today and the next few days watching film specifically on quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward,” via NFL insider Dianna Russini. “He’s also been in contact with team decision makers, while continuing to communicate with potential members of his own coaching staff.”

Browns are still on the lookout

Although Cleveland can’t be entirely ruled out as Harbaugh’s next destination, it’s safe to say the odds aren’t on Sanders’ and the Browns’ side. As painful as being fired by Baltimore may be for Harbaugh, it might not be enough for him to cross enemy lines and join another organization in the AFC North.

Even if he wanted to send a message to the Ravens, signing with the Browns would carry risks of its own. Simply put, Cleveland is a mess. By stepping into it, Harbaugh may do more harm than good to his image around the NFL. Still, the Browns will continue exploring every option.

Sanders, Dart, and Ward’s numbers

• Shedeur Sanders: 8 games, 120 completions, 1,400 passing yards, 7 passing TDs, and 10 interceptions. Moreover, he rushed for 169 yards and one touchdown.
• Jaxson Dart: 14 games, 216 completions, 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Dart rushed for 487 yards and 9 TDs.
• Cam Ward: 17 games, 323 completions, 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Ward rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

After heading to the locker room accompanied by members of the medical staff, Brandon Allen—listed behind Ward on the depth chart—will take over under center for the Titans at EverBank Stadium.

According to insider Tom Pelissero on X, a hard hit to one of Ward’s shoulders was the reason for his early exit, that’s why the QB was finally ruled out for the game. Unfortunately, the worst possible ending to his first NFL season.

Ward’s rookie-season numbers

In his 2025 rookie season, Cam Ward has established himself as the franchise cornerstone for the Tennessee Titans after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick. Heading into the final week of the season, Ward has completed 59.6% of his passes for 3,117 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.

While he has faced significant pressure—being sacked 55 times behind a struggling offensive line—his efficiency has surged late in the year, including a current streak of four consecutive games with multiple touchdown passes.

Despite a modest 32.2 QBR, his development has been the primary bright spot for a 3-13 Titans team looking to build around his elite arm talent and improved decision-making.

In Week 14, Shedeur Sanders faced Cam Ward in a tough rookie duel. Ward ultimately got the victory, but the performance by the Browns star was not overlooked by the league.

On Thursday, the NFL named Shedeur Sanders the Rookie of the Week. It is his first award as a Browns player, and he will definitely be looking to add more in this final stretch of the season.

The Browns need to protect Shedeur Sanders

In Week 14, Shedeur Sanders had an astonishing performance with Cleveland. He scored four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), threw for 364 yards, and had one interception. Despite those numbers, the Browns lost.

For many fans, a key mistake came from the coaching staff. The team failed on two 2-point conversions, and on the last one, HC Kevin Stefanski decided not to include Shedeur Sanders in the play.

This is where the Browns need to be careful. Sanders posted elite numbers, but they do not matter if wins do not arrive, and that can impact any quarterback. Despite performing at a high level, the team keeps stacking losses, which can affect a players confidence.

Shedeur Sanders has proved to be a solid quarterback with better numbers than Dillon Gabriel. However, if the Browns fail to protect him, his talent may not be enough for the team — just ask Baker Mayfield how that went.

Will the Browns trade Shedeur Sanders?

The future of Shedeur Sanders with the Browns remains uncertain. He has secured the QB1 role for the rest of the season, but his status as the 2026 starter is not guaranteed.

Deshaun Watson is set to be back with the Browns next season. Now, there are strong rumors that Cleveland may put Watson, Gabriel, and Sanders in a full competition, with the possibility that the team could move on from Sanders if they decide to give the job back to the veteran.

The rookie out of Miami has made the rounds for his statements more often than for his play. His brutally honest nature has rubbed some people the wrong way, even when he’s been right.

That may have been the case again after beating the Cleveland Browns. Ward’s post-game statements made it loud and clear that he’s not happy with his situation. And, according to Titans sideline reporter Will Boling, some of his teammates have had enough.

Cam Ward might be ruffling some feathers in Tennessee

“On the play ride home,” Boling said on 104.5 The Zone. “Arden Key gets on the intercom and says ‘You all enjoy this! Don’t listen to what Cam (Ward) said! You all enjoy this! It’s hard to win in this league, enjoy it!”

Granted, some leaders will ruffle feathers, and players need to set high standards for themselves and their teammates to achieve excellence in this league. There’s nothing wrong with that; if anything, the Titans should encourage that type of leadership.

That being said, as leaders, players also need to read the room, understand the context, and throw their teammates a bone every now and then. He’s young, he’ll learn about that.

He took it and joined the University of Incarnate Word (UIW). Ward joined an FCS school and tried to build from that. The playmaker was welcomed with open arms by the school, and his former coach, Eric Morris, knew he had something special in the future Miami Hurricane.

In two seasons with UIW, Ward went 567 of 893 for 6,908 yards and 71 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. After two seasons in Texas, he transferred to the Washington State Cougars, where he played two more campaigns before joining the Hurricanes.

Cam Ward’s former coach compared him to Patrick Mahomes

Ward’s former coach, Eric Morris, revealed he knew the quarterback was meant to do big things. He recalled seeing Ward look like another talented quarterback he had seen: three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.

“I walked down and Cam’s taking a little three step drop as he warms up and the ball is just spinning out there like none other,” Morris said. “The pop that he had, the rotation that he had it was something, when you see a talent like that, and I had been around Patrick Mahomes for the previous three or four years, so it’s not like I didn’t know it when I saw it.”

“Right off the bat it jumps out and I’m following him around the rest of practice… I’ll never forget the coaches looking at each other as Cam knocks out these three throws. Like, ‘who the heck is this kid, why is he here and why did we not know about him?’ The talent was there,” he added.

Ward isn’t having the best rookie season with the Tennessee Titans. They have won only one game, with the quarterback going 246 of 412 for 2,351 yards and seven touchdowns with six interceptions.