Titans to cater offense to Cam Ward after Brian Callahan’s firing

The initial game plan for the Titans following this week’s coaching change is to simplify the offense for rookie quarterback Cam Ward.

Offensive assistant Mike McCoy has taken over on an interim basis for fired head coach Brian Callahan, who was canned Monday following a 1-5 start.

The Titans “want to make sure Ward is focused on doing a few things well rather than trying to grasp the many elements that the rookie quarterback often struggled to do in their first six games,” according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

Ward, the No.1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been the first rookie quarterback in franchise history to start the first six games of the season.

But the Titans entered Sunday ranked last in the NFL in total offense, and Ward’s passer rating of 67.3 ranked 30th in the league with just three touchdown passes.

The Titans are playing host Sunday to the improved Patriots, who are 4-2 under former Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel.

Ward threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chimere Dike to give the Titans a 10-3 lead in the first quarter.

ESPN also reported that the Titans “will not wait” to begin searching for their next head coach, with Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith — both former head coaches — listed among those who “will garner consideration.”

But their immediate concern is to help Ward find success during his rookie campaign.

“I haven’t played my best ball,” Ward told reporters earlier this week. “I think just once I’m playing to my standards that I put on myself, we’ll be able to take care of a lot of stuff on offense.”