Titans Can’t Ignore QB Options In 2027 Draft?

In the three years before Tennessee drafted Miami (FL) quarterback Cam Ward with the top pick of the draft, the offense in Nashville never ranked better than 27th in points scored or 26th in total yards. Every one of those years, the Titans invested in their offense through the draft. In 2022, they used six of their first seven picks on offense, adding wide receiver Treylon Burks in the first round, offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and quarterback Malik Willis in the third, and tight end Chig Okonkwo in the fourth, all of whom are, today, no longer on the roster.

In 2023, all six draft selections came on the offensive side of the ball. Only first-round guard Peter Skoronski and third-round rusher Tyjae Spears are still on the team, after the team waived second-round passer Will Levis at the roster cut deadline this year. Tennessee only drafted two offensive players in 2024, but only first-round right tackle JC Latham remains on the roster. The next year was Ward’s class and, along with him, a coterie of rookie pass catchers in receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor and tight end Gunnar Helm. No. 4 overall pick Carnell Tate joined the crew this year.

The rest of the unit has mostly been built by free agency. In Ward’s rookie campaign, only Skoronski, Latham, and 2024 addition center Lloyd Cushenberry returned to their starting roles on the offensive line. They were joined by veteran guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Dan Moore to round out the starting group. After allowing Ward to tie for the title of most-sacked QB in the league last year, the team saw Cushenberry and Zeitler depart in free agency. Replacing them this were longtime backup center Austin Schlottman, in his first opportunity at a full-time starting position, and rookie fifth-round guard Fernando Carmona, who beat out Jackson Slater and Cordell Volson for the job in training camp.

A good number of weapons in the offensive arsenal have come through free agency, as well. Starting running back Tony Pollard and wide receivers Calvin Ridley, Van Jefferson, and Tyler Lockett were there for Ward’s rookie campaign. This offseason, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Daniel Bellinger signed with the team, as well.

With all the work the front office has done to improve the roster over the last four years, what has the result been? Last year, the Titans finished the season 30th in points scored and 31st in total yards. Through four games to start the 2026 season, Tennesee is 31st in points scored and dead last in total offense. So, what gives? If a lack of production on the offensive side of the ball leads to another season of three wins or less, should the team be looking at the likes of Arch Manning, CJ Carr, Trinidad Chambliss, and Darian Mensah to compete or simply replace Ward, as Breer suggests?

Even today, after a home loss to the Texans in which the offense amassed only three points and 187 total yards, head coach Robert Saleh told reporters he had no intention of benching Ward. “No, not with Cam. Cam’s our starting quarterback,” Saleh responded when asked if had any thought to make a change at the position. “We’re gonna give him every opportunity to be successful this year, and we’re gonna continue working with him, grinding with him, and trying to help him to get better.”

Saleh is in his first year with Ward. Ward started his career in Tennessee under former play-calling head coach Brian Callahan, learning Callahan’s offense as he fought for a starting job with Levis. Callahan ceded play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree after an 0-3 start in 2025 before getting fired three games later. In the offseason, Saleh was hired to replace Callahan and Hardegree departed, as well. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was hired to replace him, giving Ward his third play-caller since getting drafted.

As the season developed last year, Ward and the offense began to put up some respectable performances, particularly against teams like the Seahawks, 49ers, and Chiefs. There was hope that he would be able to pick up where he left on in 2026, but the team has lacked any chemistry or cohesion amidst all the adjustments to the roster and coaching staff. Ward has certainly had his struggles, missing easy passes or holding onto the ball for too long, resulting in more sacks and fumbles, but it’s hard to say Tennessee has done the greatest job of putting the talent around him to reach the success fans are hoping to see.

Perhaps, Ward’s skills do not transfer from college to the NFL, and the Titans may be remiss if they don’t do their due diligence on the top arms in the NFL. Or, perhaps, the team is just missing the a few more pieces that will make the roster click. We’ve seen plenty of passers like Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith, and Sam Darnold find success in the right situation after years of tumult with teams that didn’t fit them. The Falcons have been patient with Michael Penix Jr., and his two-game sample this year shows lots of promise under Atlanta’s new staff.

For now Tennessee is standing behind Ward in Year 2. As the season goes on, it will be interesting to see how the players, coaching staff, and front office deal with any remaining adversity and how that affects the roster decisions moving forward.