Titans' Cam Ward Needs to Step It Up in Next Preseason Game
Newsweek · C · trust 28/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Cam Ward has real potential. So, there's no need for the Tennessee Titans to panic after one preseason appearance. Still, his first outing of the summer wasn't exactly what Tennessee wanted to see from its young quarterback.
Ward's development is going to be one of the biggest storylines for the Titans in 2026. If Tennessee is going to take a step forward, it needs the 2025 No. 1 overall pick to take one of his own. His rookie season was uneven, although there were signs of progress as the year went along.
That momentum didn't really show up Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
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The situation wasn't exactly ideal for Ward, either. San Francisco chose to rest its starters, while new Titans head coach Robert Saleh gave his first-team offense several series. That gave Ward a chance to build on what he'd shown late last season, but he couldn't quite find that rhythm.
Ward completed just five of 12 passes for 57 yards and finished with a 56.6 passer rating. Those numbers aren't what Tennessee had in mind, particularly with an improved group of pass catchers around him.
The Titans now have veteran Wan'Dale Robinson and rookie fourth overall pick Carnell Tate among their options at wide receiver, giving Ward more talent to work with heading into his second season. That's why it's probably worth keeping this performance in perspective.
A few preseason series aren't enough to determine where Ward is headed, especially for a young quarterback who's still learning the NFL game. The Titans need to see him become more consistent, but they also need to give him time to develop.
Ward showed enough during his rookie season to believe there's something to build upon. Now, the next preseason game gives him a chance to settle in, play with more confidence and remind everyone why Tennessee wanted him in the first place.
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