Feb. 14, 2026, 1:44 p.m. ET

As the Tennessee Titans officially enter the offseason, they face some significant questions that will shape the organization’s future. 

With new head coach Robert Saleh and an experienced staff in place, one would think that the quality of their roster and improving depth through free agency and the draft would be their biggest issues. However, Turron Davenport of ESPN’s NFL Nation believes the Titans have a different question that must be answered. 

Tennessee Titans

Can quarterback Cam Ward take the next step under Brian Daboll?

Ward closed the season on a high note before suffering a shoulder sprain to his throwing arm. Perhaps that injury hasn’t impacted his offseason training since he’s been working mostly on footwork? But his rehab, paired with learning a new offense led by new-to-Tennessee coordinator Daboll, will likely be a challenge for Ward. Daboll most notably helped Bills QB Josh Allen go from a raw rookie to an All-Pro passer. The Titans are banking on a similar jump for Ward that would help turn the franchise around. 

Davenport is spot on; no matter what the team does in free agency and the draft, it means very little if Ward can’t take the next step in his development. 

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Known as a diligent worker who strives to be great, Ward has shown flashes of what to expect if the team can add some playmakers and consistency around him. It should come as no surprise that the improvement he demonstrated down the stretch coincided with improved line play and a focus on the running game that was invisible early in the season. 

With Daboll in the fold, the fact that he has experience both asa a coordinator and play caller is a significant improvement over what the Titans have had for the past two seasons, and hopefully, will pay off once the season opens.Â