Cam Ward’s Deep Ball: The Missing Piece in a Promising Rookie Campaign
Over the past two weeks, Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has started to look like the real deal. The Titans split those two games, going 1-1, but the offense has come alive in the process-posting a season-high 34 points in Week 14 and following it up with 24 more against a tough 49ers defense. For a team that’s struggled to find rhythm on offense this year, that’s no small feat.
Ward, the former Miami standout, has now thrown two touchdown passes in back-to-back games-something he hadn’t done all season until Week 14. The growth is evident.
He’s playing with more poise, more confidence, and more command of the offense. But even with the progress, one issue continues to stand out: the deep ball.
The One That Got Away
In Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, Ward had a golden opportunity to add to his highlight reel-and it slipped away. With 19 seconds left in the first half, the Titans had a 1st-and-10 from the San Francisco 40.
Van Jefferson broke free downfield with nothing but green grass ahead of him. Ward let it fly... and overshot him.
It should’ve been a walk-in 47-yard touchdown. Instead, it was an incompletion that stalled the drive, and kicker Joey Slye missed a 50-yard field goal to close the half.
That’s a 10-point swing in a game that still felt within reach at that point.
That miss wasn’t an isolated incident either. Ward’s deep-ball accuracy has been his most glaring weakness all season, and it’s become the next big hurdle in his development.
The Numbers Tell the Story
According to Pro Football Focus, Ward has completed just 15 of 44 passes that have traveled more than 19 yards in the air this season. That 32.5% completion rate ranks fifth-worst among quarterbacks who’ve played at least half their team’s snaps.
Only Jaxson Dart, Marcus Mariota, C.J. Stroud, and Geno Smith have been less efficient on deep throws.
Ward’s two touchdowns and two interceptions on those attempts show just how hit-or-miss it’s been.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Later in the game against San Francisco, Ward did connect with Jefferson on a 43-yard deep shot.
The throw was underthrown, but Jefferson adjusted and made a strong play on the ball. Earlier in the game, Ward dropped a perfectly placed 34-yard touchdown to Gunnar Helm that showed what he’s capable of when everything clicks.
The inconsistency, though, is hard to ignore. And there’s a pattern.
Ward’s struggles on deep throws have mostly come on passes outside the numbers-something that also showed up on his Miami tape. He’s been far more consistent throwing down the seams.
A Strength to Build On
That seam ball? It’s a different story.
One of Ward’s college offensive coordinators, Eric Morris-who’s coached the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield-once said Ward throws the best seam route he’s ever seen. That’s high praise, and it tracks with what we’ve seen when the Titans have dialed up those concepts.
The problem is, they haven’t done it enough.
The Titans’ coaching staff hasn’t leaned into Ward’s strengths nearly as much as they could. Seam throws, quick reads, and rhythm-based timing routes have been underutilized. Instead, the offense has often asked Ward to make low-percentage throws outside the numbers-an area where his mechanics and timing still need refinement.
The Off-Script Magic
What’s made Ward so intriguing, though, is what he does when the play breaks down. He’s been an off-script playmaker from the jump-extending plays with his legs, keeping his eyes downfield, and creating something out of nothing. That improvisational ability has been a lifeline for the Titans’ offense at times.
He’s also gotten better at the little things. Ward’s showing more maturity in the pocket, taking what the defense gives him, and hitting checkdowns instead of forcing throws. That’s a big step forward for any young quarterback, and it’s a sign that the game is starting to slow down for him.
What Comes Next
The next step in Ward’s evolution is clear: he’s got to become more consistent on deep throws, especially outside the numbers. And that starts with his mechanics.
Too often, his footwork and throwing motion get out of sync when he’s pushing the ball downfield. It’s a correctable issue, but it’s going to take time and coaching.
Whoever ends up leading the Titans next season-from the head coach down to the offensive staff-will need to prioritize that development. Because if Ward can start hitting those deep shots with regularity, we’re talking about a whole new level of quarterback play.
The tools are there. The flashes are already happening.
Now it’s about turning potential into production.
Cam Ward is trending in the right direction. The deep ball is the last big piece of the puzzle-and if he can find it, the Titans might just find their quarterback of the future.