Overview
- Ward faced blunt criticism from Nashville podcaster Jared Stillman at a Thursday press conference after Stillman said Ward’s preseason play was “not well,” and Ward replied, “Glad you don’t think so.”
- Across two preseason appearances Ward completed 13 of 24 passes for 126 yards with zero touchdowns and no interceptions, numbers that have intensified local scrutiny despite two team wins.
- Ward defended his progress by saying the offense made a “huge jump” from Week 1 to Week 2 and that a condensed playbook will change the story when the regular season begins.
- Stillman has pushed a higher‑stakes narrative that continued poor quarterback play could put head coach Robert Saleh and the general manager under pressure, tying Ward’s development to job security for the front office.
- The Titans have one preseason game left against the Chicago Bears and open the regular season at Nissan Stadium against the New York Jets on September 13, which media and fans view as the first clear test of Ward and the new Saleh‑Daboll staff.