Cam Ward reacts to Titans firing Brian Callahan after 1-5 start to rookie season

Tennessee Titans quarterback and 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward probably didn't imagine back in the spring that head coach Brian Callahan would be fired just six games into Ward's rookie season. Nevertheless, that's exactly what happened roughly 24 hours after the Titans fell to 1-5 on the campaign. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Ward opened up about losing the first head coach of his professional career as the Titans prepare to host the New England Patriots (4-2) this coming Sunday. 

Cam Ward trying to focus on Patriots after Brian Callahan firing

"I think from a day-to-day process, it really doesn't change anything, coming from myself to the other players on the team," Ward said about what he has experienced since Callahan was dismissed this past Monday, per Paul Kasabian of Bleacher Report. "We still have our routine to install the game plan that we go through. Nothing really changes. I think the biggest thing, just, you feel for [Callahan] just because, like, what he's done for me to get to this point, just through the draft prep, through the offseason training camp work, you know, how he's helped me get to this point. And so I feel for him."

Days before the Titans endured an ugly 20-10 Week 6 loss at the Las Vegas Raiders, Ward admitted that he was "not playing how I want to play right now." It was subsequently suggested that "Ward's development" was a big reason Callahan was shown the door after he compiled a 4-19 record in fewer than two full seasons in charge. According to ESPN stats, Ward began Thursday ranked last in the NFL among qualified passers with a 24.9 adjusted QBR for the campaign.

Cam Ward discusses working relationship with interim head coach Mike McCoy

New Tennessee interim head coach Mike McCoy previously served as a senior offensive assistant with the Titans before Monday's developments. He has experience being the main man for a franchise, as he was the head coach of the San Diego Chargers from 2013 through the 2016 season. 

"It's been good," Ward said about his working relationship with McCoy, as shared by Jim Wyatt of the Titans' website. "He was one of the first people to greet me once I came in on my [pre-draft] visit here. And he's had a history with good quarterbacks, had a chance to work with Philip Rivers. And just the attitude he brings to the team, the building. He wants us to play winning football, and he is going to get that out of us."

As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the Titans as 6.5-point underdogs against the Patriots. Such a line may show that McCoy's biggest task in his current role will be to ensure Ward doesn't get too discouraged through the remainder of what will likely be a rough rookie season for the 23-year-old.