Cam Ward's rookie season reaches disappointing end against Jaguars

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward. Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Titans QB Cam Ward's underwhelming rookie season reaches disappointing end against Jaguars

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 2:59 PM ET

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward likely wishes his rookie season went differently, especially the ending.

In Tennessee's regular-season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Ward faked a handoff to running back Tony Pollard and took it to the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown, which gave the Titans a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter. On the play, however, he landed awkwardly on his right shoulder.

After he entered the medical tent, Ward went to the locker room and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Backup QB Brandon Allen replaced him.

It's a frustrating end to a disappointing season for 2025 No. 1 overall pick Ward, who hoped he could immediately turn the Titans around. He has since discovered that it's going to be much more difficult than he initially expected.

.@Cameron7Ward finds the end zone himself

: #TENvsJAX on @NFLonFOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/UpOVzQHhnI
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 4, 2026

Cam Ward has work cut out for him after rough rookie season

Before the Titans selected Ward in the NFL Draft, the former Miami Hurricanes star told CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala he wanted to become the first rookie QB in league history to win a Super Bowl. When he landed in Tennessee, it became apparent he wasn't even going to sniff the playoffs.

The Titans started 1-5 and then fired head coach Brian Callahan, replacing him with interim Mike McCoy, who hasn't been much better. Entering Sunday, the Titans were 3-13.

3169 passing yards
17 Total TDs
7 INTs

Cam Ward's rookie season is officially over pic.twitter.com/L9laJvxIYm
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 4, 2026

The organization's dysfunction contributed to a streaky season for Ward. In 17 starts, he logged 3,169 yards passing, 17 touchdowns (15 passing and two rushing) and seven interceptions.

Those numbers are comparable to the ones Chicago Bears second-year QB Caleb Williams posted in his rookie season. In 17 starts, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick tallied 3,541 yards passing, 20 TD passes and six interceptions.

After going 5-12 last season, Chicago hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach. That move has panned out thus far. Entering Week 18, the Bears had clinched the NFC North and were 11-5.

Ward needs the Titans to give him an offensive guru as his next HC. It seems Tennessee is planning to do that. The franchise is expected to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and former Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy.

Ward must jell with his next HC. Otherwise, he could be in for another long season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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