Titans' Robert Saleh supports Cam Ward, but QB must reward HC's confidence

The Titans have two one-possession losses following Week 3. Tennessee lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20 at home in Week 2 when QB Jalen Hurts engineered a game-winning nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. 

If the Titans beat the Eagles and Giants, the narrative would be different, but they didn't. Until winless Tennessee starts winning games, more will question whether Saleh should stick with Ward. 

Since the Titans selected him with pick No. 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ward has struggled to improve the prospects of a dysfunctional franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 2021. He's 3-17 in 20 starts and has completed 378 of 628 passes (60.2 percent, below average) for 3,673 yards, tossing 17 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. 

Ward's accuracy has improved slightly in 2026. After completing 59.8 percent of his passes as a rookie, he's completing 62.5 percent in 2026. That's still not enough progress to show he's a franchise cornerstone for Tennessee. 

The Titans season grows more challenging in Week 4 when they play the 2-1 Baltimore Ravens (CBS, 1 p.m. ET). The road matchup could be another tipping point for Ward.

Saleh clearly wants to give his QB plenty of chances to succeed and eventually become the face of the team. But if he doesn't take advantage of them, that could convince the coach and the organization to begin reassessing their plans at the most important position.