Titans HC Sends Mixed Message: Cam Ward’s ‘Ups and Downs’ Leave Future in Doubt
A given part of the "coach firing" process is determining what stays in the inevitable, franchise-shifting aftermath of the decision. When a new head coach is hired in, not only does the staff change, but a chunk of the team is often overhauled too, reflecting the control of a new mind over a roster that was bad enough previously to necessitate the move in the first place. For the Tennessee Titans, at 1-8, few aspects of the current roster are worth considering sacred, especially given their recent defensive trade ahead of the deadline and their own looming rebuild.
Clearing Up Cap
For the time being, the team's bunch of offensive rookies appear to be among the few candidates for the team to undoubtedly hold on to when a new regime rolls into town. At the top of that list is first overall pick and first-year quarterback Cam Ward.
Ward's first season in Tennessee has not thus far been what fans wanted from him after the team moved on from former signal caller Will Levis for his own inefficiency, but at the same time, Ward has shown enough flashes to bide his team until a new system is formed around him.
Until the Titans make a hire to build that system, though, interim head coach Mike McCoy is the man working to ease Ward into his new NFL role right now. After the team's 27-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Charges last week, McCoy split the difference on his QB's middling performance:
The Ups and Downs
"...there were some really good plays, and there were a couple of plays in there where you can say: 'We have to do a better job here. We have to be able to make this throw, convert it,'" McCoy said. "But then there's some plays in there where you say: 'Wow, that's pretty damn good.' So there's the ups and downs, and we have to be more consistent."
Ward completed 12 passes on 21 attempts against the Chargers, tallying just 145 yards through the air and no score or turnover either way. With veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley missing time with an injury and Tyler Lockett outright asking to, and being, released, Ward has been left with his fellow rookies as primary options on offense.
His inoffensive tendencies on offense will only do for so long, but with so much more to worry about in the bigger picture, the Titans franchise can afford dealing with the higher-level things in the hopes that Ward finds a way to break through his despite his limiting circumstances in the meantime.
Broncos QB Bo Nix Gives Strong Reaction After Trade Deadline Decision
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Houston Texans.
The Denver Broncos let the 2025 trade deadline come and go without getting anything done. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix offered strong thoughts about why that was. He also spoke about what it means for the team this season.
It was not as if the Broncos did not try. However, their desire fell short of what was required to make something happen.
For Nix, the decision came as little to no surprise.
Bo Nix: ‘Great’ Broncos Confident Enough to Stand Pat at Trade Deadline
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the New York Giants.
Nix fielded a question about what is says to the team that the Broncos did not go all out to add a piece. Particularly, he was asked what it says about head coach Sean Payton’s faith in the group.
Nix called it “great.”
“Obviously, if there’s a need, you want to get it,” Nix told reporters on November 4. “But we feel like we got all the pieces. And so, sometimes when something like that happens, it shakes things up. And we got something good going, and we just want to keep riding this wave and finding ways to win.”
Much of the conversation around the Broncos’ trade plans stemmed from seeking help for Nix, be it another target or protection amid injuries to their offensive line.
The Broncos attempted to bring in tight ends and explored wide receiver trades.
Their biggest addition was veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who will have a bit role on the field and provide a locker room presence. Other than that, it is up to Nix and his current crop of pass catchers to take the necessary next steps.
Broncos WR Reacts to Trade Deadline
GettyTroy Franklin #11 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.
One of Nix’s top targets, current Broncos wideout and former Oregon Ducks teammate Troy Franklin, spoke candidly about the Broncos’ lack of action at the deadline.
According to Franklin, it was not surprising based on what they had been told.
“Sean (Payton has) been telling us all year he loves our team, loves the receiver group and we don’t really need anything, so he’s kept his word,” Franklin said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson in a post on X on November 4.
Payton said leading up to the deadline that the Broncos would be open to a deal. However, that was only if it provided actual value, and not just to make something happen.
Franklin “especially” did not expect a WR move, per Tomasson, but Denver explored its options.
“The Broncos did NOT make a trade before the trade deadline,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens reported on X on November 4. “From my understanding, they looked into making moves, but didn’t force anything.”
Bo Nix: Broncos Looking to ‘Improve Faster’ Than Competition
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos on the field after defeating the Houston Texans.
Nix acknowledged the Broncos’ fourth-quarter prowess has belied the difficulty of scoring. He joked that not facing a top defense like the Houston Texans in Week 9 would help. He also noted that the Broncos are far from satisfied with so much of the season left.
At 7-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, and riding a six-game winning streak is nice, but hardly their end goal.
Their main focus is continuing to improve.
“We have so many things that we want to correct. And we feel like we haven’t even played a complete game offensively, much less, as a team. And so, I think once we start doing that, then we got to be careful about being too lax. But until then, we’re all in a growth mindset, and we’re worried about the things that we can fix,” Nix told reporters on Tuesday.
“Because there’s several of them from each position that we’re trying to focus on. And until we’re hitting all the ones that we need to hit, I don’t think we’re going to be able to be relaxed. Because we have a lot of guys that are competitive. We don’t have a bunch of frontrunners. We just got a locker room full of guys that are trying to race to improve, and improve faster than everybody else in the league.”
