New NFL Rumors on Cam Ward's Hot Seat as Titans QB1 Amid Struggles to Start 2026 Season

Amid a disastrous start for the Tennessee Titans offense, Cam Ward is not in immediate danger of losing his job as their starting quarterback.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the feeling right now is the Titans want to give Ward more time to figure things out as he learns new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's system.

"Accuracy and decision-making are issues, but the Titans hope he will build off the late-game growing pains. He also isn't turning the ball over at a high clip (one interception through three games) and the team values his makeup and work ethic," Fowler wrote.

In the same report for ESPN, Dan Graziano noted there is a "sense" that things are "out of whack" with the Titans:

"I'm talking about the overall environment around the team, not just Ward. There's an obvious disconnect between Ward and the coaching staff, or at least the scheme, and the time to address and adjust those things was the spring and summer. How do the Titans fix lingering structural issues with their offense and with Ward's development during the season? There's still widespread belief that Ward has the character and the ability to weather early-career struggles and come out stronger for it. But there's also a sense around the league that it should look better than it does right now, and there's curiosity about what's preventing the improvement from happening."

The Titans are 3-17 in Ward's 20 starts since the beginning of the 2025 season. Their offense finished 30th in points per game during his rookie year and ranks 30th in points per game through three weeks in 2026.

Ward's 33.2 QBR as a rookie ranked last out of 28 qualified quarterbacks. His 47.2 QBR so far this season is an improvement, but it's still only good enough for 23rd out of 30 quarterbacks.

Tennessee has scored 10 or fewer points in three of its last four games dating back to Week 18 last season. Ward has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game this season. His last game with multiple touchdown passes was against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17 last year.

Even with the lack of receiving talent on the Titans roster, Ward has had instances of not seeing open players or missing them when he does find them. There was a play in the third quarter against the Giants when Carnell Tate was wide open in the end zone and Ward sailed a pass over his head.

Ward's primary attribute to this point has been not throwing interceptions. He has eight interceptions in 628 career attempts, but it's clear from his performance that the rest of his game isn't working right now.

The struggles for Ward and the offense are also overshadowing the job first-year head coach Robert Saleh has done to elevate the defense. They have been far from perfect on that side of the ball, particularly trying to stop the run, but they rank 10th in points allowed and seventh in pass yards allowed.

Tennessee's next game is against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Titans' bye isn't until Week 9, so presumably things will have to improve for Ward before then if there is already speculation about a potential change.

Mitchell Trubisky is the No. 2 quarterback on Tennessee's depth chart. He hasn't started a game since Week 15 of the 2023 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers.