The Tennessee Titans started a media firestorm after pulling reporter Jared Stillman’s credential.
Fans are wasting no time blasting the franchise. The radio host and podcaster became the center of attention following a heated preseason exchange with quarterback Cam Ward.
Titans Refuse To Explain Pulling Jared Stillman’s Credentials
Titans beat reporter Paul Kuharsky first reported that Stillman’s media access had been revoked. The team declined to explain the decision.
Stillman is not a daily presence around the Titans. He makes fewer appearances at press conferences but is a regular at OTAs and training camp. Stillman said he will address the controversy on his “Stillman and Company” podcast.
Meanwhile, the backlash was immediate for the Titans.
Vols reporter Ryan Schumpert called it a “shameful move” and labeled Tennessee “a soft franchise.”
Shameful move. What a soft franchise. https://t.co/QxwvXeReXn
— Ryan Schumpert (@ryanschumpert00) September 1, 2026
Another wrote, “Fall in line with our messaging or get out,” arguing that restricting access makes team media coverage increasingly pointless.
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Kuharsky, who first reported the credential decision, also sided against the move. “It’s a mistake by the #Titans to revoke @JaredStillman’s credential,” he posted.
It’s a mistake by the #Titans to revoke @JaredStillman’s credential. pic.twitter.com/ZwxBz6RAiA
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 1, 2026
“This is fantastic,” tweeted another sarcastically.
Other reactions were even more blunt, with one X user calling out the team: “The Titans are cowards!”
The @Titans are cowards! https://t.co/2PeN753YCp
— Jim Murray (@bigjimmurray) September 1, 2026
“This thing of teams requiring you only say nice things about them or your access gets cut off is paaaaathetic,” commented another.
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The controversy follows Stillman’s back-and-forth with Ward. Last week, the reporter asked Ward to evaluate his preseason performance. Ward was not having it, and he asked Stillman to assess how his preseason went, to which Stillman responded, “Not well.”
Ward fired back saying, “I’m glad you don’t think so. That’s good. I assess it as, did we win the game, or did we lose a game? I assess it as what I can get better at. I don’t assess it as someone who can get up there and operate when everything’s on. It’s a different process level.
“So it’s more of slowing down the game to everybody. And I believe we made a huge jump from Week 1 to Week 2 because we’re getting more condensed in a playbook. We’re not really opening everything up. And, you know, when we come to Week 1, I think it’ll be a different story,” the Titans QB added.
This is Ward’s second NFL season and Tennessee is hoping he can make a major leap forward. Expectations for the team remain modest, but Ward’s development could become one of their biggest storylines in 2026 if he breaks out. Last season, Ward ranked 38th out of 38 eligible quarterbacks in PFN’s QB Impact Score with a grade of 61.6. During the preseason, Ward posted a 62.7 grade, which ranked 73rd out of 79 eligible QBs.
Despite Ward’s struggles and the recent drama, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi recently said he believes they have created the right environment for progress.
“We have the right type of guys here now, and we’re going to compete,” Borgonzi said. Borgonzi also discussed the culture Tennessee is trying to establish under new head coach Robert Saleh.
“We have the guys here to compete, and I think we’ll get better as the season goes,” he added.
Saleh’s arrival will give the Titans a fresh identity, particularly on defense. Meanwhile, the franchise is focused on giving Ward better protection as the quarterback endured relentless pressure and sacks during his rookie campaign. Now, all eyes will be on Ward to see if he can step up.
