Cam Ward Embraces Titans' New Coaching Duo: "We’re Building Something Right Now"
The Tennessee Titans haven’t waited for the new league year to start making waves - and neither has quarterback Cam Ward. With a fresh coaching staff in place and a clear vision for the future, Ward is already embracing the changes and setting the tone for what he expects to be a turning point in the franchise’s trajectory.
Last month, the Titans made a bold move by hiring Robert Saleh as their new head coach. Just five days later, Saleh brought in former Giants head coach Brian Daboll to run the offense - a pairing that signals a clear shift in identity for a team desperate to climb out of the cellar after back-to-back 3-14 seasons.
Ward, entering his second year in the league, isn’t just going along for the ride - he’s leaning into the challenge. In a recent offseason interview, the young QB didn’t mince words about what he wants from his new offensive coordinator.
“I don’t need it, but I want it,” Ward said. “And it’s not for my sake, because I know what I want to be - I don’t need a coach to pat me on the back or cuss me out.
I want a coach like Daboll who is going to be the same each and every day. He is going to let me know the real, and I just have to respond.”
That’s not just lip service. Ward’s comments suggest a player who’s hungry for accountability and consistency - two things Daboll is known to bring in spades.
Ward isn’t looking for comfort; he’s looking for growth. And he knows that growth often comes from being pushed.
“I like that he is a fiery coach,” Ward added. “He is going to get on my ass when he needs to, and he is going to hold me to a high standard. And that’s the standard I want to be held to.”
That kind of mindset is exactly what Tennessee needs right now. After two seasons of frustration and futility, the Titans aren’t just trying to turn the page - they’re trying to rewrite the story entirely. And Ward sees Robert Saleh as the right man to lead that charge.
“I think it’s a great hire, especially for the team and where we want to be identity-wise, what we want to put on the field,” Ward said. “I think he’s respected among players across the league. … It has been good getting to know him, especially him starting to learn more about me, and me learning more about him.”
That mutual understanding between quarterback and head coach is no small thing. For a young signal-caller like Ward, having alignment with the coaching staff - especially one that’s bringing in a proven offensive mind like Daboll - could be the key to unlocking his next level.
And it’s not just the coaching staff that’s earned Ward’s confidence. He gave credit to the Titans’ leadership - general manager Mike Borgonzi, president of football operations Chad Brinker, and principal owner Amy Adams Strunk - for making the moves that signal a real commitment to winning.
“I think they got it right. And it makes me feel more comfortable, because we are building things not only for the future, but now,” Ward said.
“We have the players on the roster to do it right now, but we have to add a couple of more pieces. Once we do that, I think we’ll be a very good team, and we’ll be able to compete at the highest level.”
That’s the kind of statement that should get Titans fans fired up. The optimism isn’t blind - Ward knows there’s still work to be done. But it’s grounded in a belief that the foundation is finally being laid the right way.
With the new league year set to begin March 11, the Titans are entering a critical stretch. Free agency, the draft, and offseason workouts will all help shape the next chapter. But one thing is already clear: Cam Ward is ready to lead, and he believes in the people now steering the ship.
After two years of darkness, the Titans are looking for light. If Ward and this new coaching tandem can find their rhythm, Tennessee might just be on the verge of something real.