Cam Ward reacts to the suggestion that "Ward's development" was a major reason Callahan was shown the door after compiling a 4–19 record in fewer than two full seasons in charge
Tennessee Titans quarterback and 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward probably didn't imagine back in the spring that head coach Brian Callahan would be fired just six games into Ward's rookie season. Nevertheless, that's exactly what happened roughly 24 hours after the Titans fell to 1-5 on the campaign.
While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Ward opened up about losing the first head coach of his professional career as the Titans prepare to host the New England Patriots (4-2) this coming Sunday.
Cam Ward trying to focus on Patriots after Brian Callahan firing
"I think from a day-to-day process, it really doesn't change anything, coming from myself to the other players on the team," Ward said about what he has experienced since Callahan was dismissed this past Monday, per Paul Kasabian of Bleacher Report. "We still have our routine to install the game plan that we go through. Nothing really changes. I think the biggest thing, just, you feel for [Callahan] just because, like, what he's done for me to get to this point, just through the draft prep, through the offseason training camp work, you know, how he's helped me get to this point. And so I feel for him."
Days before the Titans endured an ugly 20-10 Week 6 loss at the Las Vegas Raiders, Ward admitted that he was "not playing how I want to play right now." It was subsequently suggested that "Ward's development" was a big reason Callahan was shown the door after he compiled a 4-19 record in fewer than two full seasons in charge. According to ESPN stats, Ward began Thursday ranked last in the NFL among qualified passers with a 24.9 adjusted QBR for the campaign.
Cam Ward discusses working relationship with interim head coach Mike McCoy
New Tennessee interim head coach Mike McCoy previously served as a senior offensive assistant with the Titans before Monday's developments. He has experience being the main man for a franchise, as he was the head coach of the San Diego Chargers from 2013 through the 2016 season.
"It's been good," Ward said about his working relationship with McCoy, as shared by Jim Wyatt of the Titans' website. "He was one of the first people to greet me once I came in on my [pre-draft] visit here. And he's had a history with good quarterbacks, had a chance to work with Philip Rivers. And just the attitude he brings to the team, the building. He wants us to play winning football, and he is going to get that out of us."
As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the Titans as 6.5-point underdogs against the Patriots. Such a line may show that McCoy's biggest task in his current role will be to ensure Ward doesn't get too discouraged through the remainder of what will likely be a rough rookie season for the 23-year-old.
Packers Encouraged To Trade For All-Pro Defensive Lineman Ahead Of Deadline
The Green Bay Packers, coming off what was probably a closer than it should have been win against the Joe Flacco-led Cincinnati Bengals, could start looking to the trade market to find that final missing piece to push the team towards their first Super Bowl championship since 2011.
With some proposing the team find a corner or running back, CBS’ Garrett Podell has a different idea.
In his piece on Wednesday, in which he outlines one trade that each broad Super Bowl contender should make to give them that final push towards a Lombardi Trophy, he pairs Green Bay up with none other than 39-year old veteran defensive tackle, Calais Campbell.
Packers Proposed To Add 39-Year Old Veteran DL
Although the Packers already made a high-profile offseason move for edge rusher, Micah Parsons, giving up two future first round picks in the process – Green Bay could probably use help on the interior alongside Devonte Wyatt, especially after losing Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys in the Parsons trade.
“The Packers’ pass rush has certainly been bolstered by the addition of All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons (29 quarterback pressures in 2025, tied for fourth-most in the NFL) despite the four-time Pro Bowler missing all of training with the Dallas Cowboys in a contract holdout.” Podell wrote. “Green Bay ranks ninth in the NFL quarterback pressure rate (39.8%) and eighth in quarterback pressures (86).
However, the team’s sack numbers could be improved with the Packers’ 12 teams sacks tied for 19th in the NFL and their 5.6% sack rate standing at 20th in the league. Starting defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt’s knee injury in Week 4 at the Cowboys caused him to be ruled out of the Packers’ Week 6 win over the Bengals despite having a Week 5 bye.”
Calais Campbell Has Remained Incredibly Durable In Recent Years
Once an All-Pro caliber player – a recognition that he was selected for three times of course of his monumental now-18 year career – Campbell has remained an exceptionally productive defensive lineman well into his 30s, posting at least five sacks in each of the past three seasons; a feat that is far from a given for a defensive lineman who spends the majority of his time now on the interior.
“Green Bay should bolster the interior of its pass rush by trading for ageless wonder and six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Calais Campbell. His Arizona Cardinals are off to a 2-4 start, and Campbell is 39 years old. It doesn’t make any sense for him to waste what could be his 18th and final NFL season on a team that appears doomed to miss the postseason.
Acquiring Campbell could create more knock back for the Packers in the middle of the line of scrimmage while Wyatt is out, thus creating more sack opportunities for Parsons, Pro Bowl edge rusher Rashan Gary and others. This is an inexpensive trade that Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst should make.”
Adding a strong, winning veteran presence to the locker room; especially one who has remained incredibly durable over the latter course of his career, starting every game dating back to the start of the 2023 season; can only be a good thing for a Packers defense that otherwise has sky-high potential.
