Titans’ Callahan Praises Cam Ward’s Strong Preseason Start

The Tennessee Titans’ head coach, Brian Callahan, expressed optimism regarding the preseason performance of first overall pick Cam Ward. Following the team’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on August 25, 2023, Callahan highlighted Ward’s abilities as a franchise quarterback, indicating that the rookie has demonstrated the necessary skills over his initial two preseason games.

Callahan acknowledged that while Ward played well, there were aspects of the offense that need improvement. He noted specific instances, such as a dropped pass by receiver Van Jefferson and several penalties that hindered the team’s performance. Despite these challenges, Callahan emphasized that Ward executed his responsibilities effectively.

“I’m very encouraged,” Callahan stated when asked about Ward’s performance. “That ball he threw that got dropped was an unbelievable throw. He’s shown all the things that we needed to see from an operations standpoint.” He added that the penalties contributed to less-than-ideal situations for the offense, remarking on a holding penalty and a false start during a critical third-and-short situation that forced the team into a longer down.

Ward himself acknowledged the need for the offense to address its shortcomings, particularly in terms of avoiding penalties that disrupt momentum. “We need to clean up not shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties,” he said. Nevertheless, the young quarterback conveyed a sense of optimism about the team’s direction, stating, “I’m excited for the real football to start.”

As the preseason progresses, both Callahan and Ward’s comments reflect a commitment to refining the team’s performance before the regular season kicks off. With the Titans looking to build on their recent outings, fans will be watching closely to see how the team and its promising quarterback develop in the coming weeks.