There was little to celebrate from Cam Ward’s first NFL season. Rookies deserve patience, but a No. 1 overall pick carries a different level of expectation. Now, heading into Year 2, the Tennessee Titans will want more from Ward.
As the new season approaches, however, an ex-NFL scout has raised major concerns about where Ward’s future could be headed in Tennessee.
Ex-NFL Scout Feels Cam Ward’s Year Two Will Define His Titans’ Future
On the “3 & Out” podcast, John Middlekauff explained why the Titans quarterback could face serious questions if his second season fails to show clear progress.
“Heading into year two, we got major concerns,” John Middlekauff said. “Cam Ward’s got four and a half months to show that he can play. He has big-time physical gifts. But then you watch him play like he doesn’t play quarterback that well in the NFL. Last year, I’ll give him a pass.”
He also believes the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams face a similar test.
“If this season doesn’t end with we got our guy, that did not go well. Can we win three or four games? Everything’s on the table. Because their owner has proven to be unpredictable. I’m rooting for these two guys. This situation would make me a little nervous.”
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The Titans’ controlling owner, Amy Adams Strunk, has developed a reputation for sudden decisions after several high-profile firings.
That pattern was already evident before Callahan’s firing, Strunk had dismissed GM Ran Carthon in January 2025, and continued a run of abrupt decisions that also included head coach Mike Vrabel and GM Jon Robinson
Those moves also followed earlier abrupt decisions involving successful figures such as head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson.
In his rookie season, Ward posted a 59.8 QBi score, ranking 45th among 48 eligible quarterbacks. Only Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Jake Browning finished below him.
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Ward also recorded one of the NFL’s lowest QBR at 33.2 while completing fewer than 60% of his passes for a 3-14 Titans team.
However, Tennessee believes new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll can help Ward make a major jump.
Daboll helped develop Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills before running the New York Giants’ offense. Allen posted a 69.2 PFSN QB Impact score in his first year under Daboll. By his third season, that number had climbed to 89.9.
So, the Titans see a path for Ward to make a similar leap. Meanwhile, Tennessee also made major changes to its roster.
The Titans added Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson to the receiving group while bringing back three offensive line starters. Tennessee selected Tate at No. 4 overall and signed Robinson in free agency. Those moves addressed a unit that dropped 24 passes in 2025, eighth-most in the NFL.
Now, the hope centers on Daboll turning Ward’s talent into better production. The coordinator has already liked what he has seen, calling Ward “a young professional” who learns new concepts “very quickly.”
So, with better weapons and a new offensive voice, Ward has a chance to change the conversation before everything really is on the table.
