Cam Ward didn’t exactly get a soft landing in his first NFL season, but he still gave the Tennessee Titans enough to build on. That’s why a recent ranking of second-year quarterbacks is turning heads - and not in Nashville’s favor.
Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone put Ward at No. 2 among notable second-year quarterbacks heading into training camp, slotting him behind Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants. For Titans fans, that’s a tough one to swallow, especially considering what Ward had to work with as a rookie.
Ward was thrown into a rough setup and still managed to keep things moving, even if the year came with the usual rookie bumps. He threw seven interceptions, and there were stretches when he was trying to create something that simply wasn’t there. The Titans offense under Brian Callahan, as the source material puts it, was a complete mess.
Even so, Ward finished with enough promise to make a second-year leap feel realistic. The Titans also have a new and improved coaching staff around him now, which only adds to the expectation that 2026 could look a lot better.
Scataglia’s case for Dart over Ward centered on Ward’s rookie production and late-season growth. He wrote: " Cam Ward was sacked 55 times, which was the most in the NFL, but he was a 17-game starter for the Tennessee Titans, tossing just under 3,200 yards and 15 touchdown passes. Toward the end of the season, Ward looked a lot sharper, and now that he has Brian Daboll calling the plays, the odds of a year two jump feel rather likely."
He also added: " Ward added 159 rushing yards and two additional touchdowns. The main thing with Ward is the arm strength - he can make any throw on the field and will be able to live in the pocket going forward."
But the argument doesn’t hold much water when you line up the two situations. Ward already spent a full season as a starter, while Dart did not. And Ward’s supporting cast looks stronger on paper, with Carnell Tate, Calvin Ridley, and Wan’Dale Robinson in the mix.
Dart’s group includes Malik Nabers, who is coming off a torn ACL, along with Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, and Odell Beckham Jr., who hasn’t played since 2024.
The coaching edge also tilts Ward’s way. The source material points to Brian Daboll as a more promising offensive coordinator than Matt Nagy, who will be running the Giants’ offense for Dart. Daboll’s background includes calling plays and working with Josh Allen.
Dart may have brought more highlight-reel moments and a flashier style, but Ward was the steadier rookie and the better bet entering 2026. In that light, ranking Dart ahead of Ward looks hard to justify.
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