Robert Saleh Defends Cam Ward, but Declines to ID QB's Elite Trait

The Titans coach called Cam Ward "really, really, really good," but hesitated when asked about the quarterback's defining strength. Meanwhile, several second-year Titans continued to emerge during OTAs.

By BRADEN GALL

Robert Saleh was willing to put himself out there and praise his second-year signal-caller, Cam Ward, Thursday at a Titans OTA session.

“We have a really, really, really good QB," he said.

However, practice this week has been really, really, really inaccurate for Ward. 

Thursday marked a third day of difficulty for the Titans QB. Ward finished 13-25 passing and failed to throw a touchdown, frequently overthrowing receivers down the field and finding it hard to connect on passes in the flat -- especially check downs to backs to his right.

But that’s the plan according to Saleh.

“This is the time of the year where he’s got to try some things," Saleh defended before the week's final session. "He’s got to see what he can and can’t do. We’re trying to get him as many looks as possible and make sure that he sees everything.”

Brian Daboll has been instructed to script practice in a way to challenge everyone, including Ward. The second-year quarterback was wild in his first team session (two-of-five) before settling down some in pass skeleton (four-of-eight). His best period on Thursday was a “move-the-ball” drill, where he went six-of-eight and connected with four different receivers, including rookie Carnell Tate for a first down.

Carnell Tate one-hander. Back at practice obviously. #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/K9tqsgk2KX

— Braden Gall (@BradenGall) June 11, 2026

Saleh and the Titans contest that this is supposed to happen. Ward is a second-year player learning a new system with a totally new supporting cast… in June. The head coach reiterated that his strategy is designed to release Ward from the shackles of the previous coaching staff -- a system that Brian Callahan specifically explained as confining. 

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“In all of our move-the-ball periods, where we go unscripted, that’s where he shines the most," Saleh said. "I think he shines in those moments because he’s just playing football. It’s exciting to see him develop through these OTAs.

However, when asked about Ward’s “elite traits,” Saleh paused and decided not to answer. 

"I don’t know if I want to answer that right now because I’m still learning him,” he said.

Saleh then immediately praised Ward’s “fearless mindset” and “ridiculous arm” but the noticeable pause and decision to deflect the question is of note.

After practice, new backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky was effusive in his praise of the skill players he has around him here in Nashville. Thursday was the first time the Titans' entire set of pass-catching weapons was available for the QBs, but it didn’t seem to change Ward’s efficiency much.

“We have a lot of talent here and a lot of guys have been making plays,” Trubisky after a solid first week of practice.

Calvin Ridley and Carnell Tate took the field in team drills together for the first time on Thursday, but the passing attack still struggled. 

Ward finished going one-of-four on a sloppy 2-minute drive that resulted in a defensive stop.

Trubisky was the only QB who led a scoring drive in two minutes, going six-of-seven and leading the offense to a “game-winning” field goal. His top target was undrafted rookie Hank Beatty.

The offense mustered a single TD pass during the entire practice: A Will Levis-to-Tyren Montgomery bomb down the middle in which Montgomery made a fantastic catch in traffic.

Ward had a bad week throwing the ball. But it appears that was the plan all along.

Second-year players making progress

It’s safe to say that the 2026 Titans will only go as far as their second-year QB takes them. But alongside Ward is the rest of the 2025 Titans draft class. 

This critical group of players forms the foundation of the future for Tennessee, and while Ward’s progress, development, struggles and potential are well documented, the rest of this class has drawn attention during OTAs.

Tight end Gunner Helm has looked like “a legit dude.” At least, those are the words of his head coach. 

“Helm looks good, he looks like a legit dude -- from what he was a year ago to what he is now, especially physically,” Saleh said.

Helm clearly figures into this offense in a big way this fall. He has changed his body in preparation for his second season -- his core and lower body, according to him -- and has been active all week. He caught all three of his Ward targets in team situations on Thursday, including two for first downs.

“Obviously Brian Daboll is not afraid to use the tight end,” Helm said. 

“You see Rob Gronkowski, Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox doing things that you normally see receivers do in this offense. So being worked into the offense like that has been great.”

The second-year tight end is clearly excited about his role in the new offense.

Additionally, Chimere Dike had an excellent week of practice. He consistently stretched the field this week, twice for touchdowns, in a week in which scorinfg passes were few and far between. He’s picked up the new offense quickly, something Dike has experience with in his past.

“I’ve had four coaching staffs in four years, so I am used to having to adjust,” Dike said. “Robert Saleh has been great setting a new standard for us. Brian Daboll has high standards as well and is a super competitive guy.”

Fellow wideout Elic Ayomanor was active in the short passing game on Thursday, catching four Ward passes in the final two team periods on Thursday. He’s been noticeably more vocal on the practice field this summer.

Without pads, it’s impossible to know what type of impact Jackson Slater will have on the offensive line. But it’s clear that he’s being given every chance to compete for a starting spot at right guard.

The defensive side of the ball isn’t much different.

Safety Kevin Winston has been noticeably active and explosive since the first session of OTAs. He flashes at least once in every team situation and seems to be everywhere the football is -- almost too much. 

On more than one occasion, he has made heavy contact with pass catchers, eliciting a loud and frustrated response from the offensive coaching staff. Thursday featured another big collision. 

Calvin Ridley returned to team drills for the first time Thursday, and, on his first play, he caught a dart from Ward down the seam only to be met immediately by a “fast and violent” Winston.

The second-year safety essentially tackled Ridley to the ground and caused a fumble. It doesn’t appear to be something Saleh and the defensive staff is too concerned with, however, because it keeps happening almost every practice. Tuesday he had a pass interference against Bryce Oliver, coming up his back too early.

Winston had an interception earlier in the week and appears poised to be a breakout star in this new-look Titans defense. The fact that Titans presented him to the media last week speaks to their belief in his role on this team.

And then there’s nickel back Marcus Harris. The sixth-round corner out of Cal has been omnipresent at Titans practice over the last few weeks and was again on Thursday. Harris rarely comes off the field, regardless of drill, situation or depth chart group.

“I feel a lot better going into year two,” Harris said. 

When asked about never coming off the field and running with the ones, twos and threes, Harris was quick to explain he’s willing to do anything the coaching staff asks him to do.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m just attacking every situation the same way,” Harris said.

If Harris’ trajectory continues as it has in OTAs, he has a chance to be one of the best values in the Titans' 2025 draft class.

Unfortunately, second-round pick Femi Oladejo has yet to be seen on a practice field this summer. He is among a glut of potential defensive starters who have yet to practice or have been used extremely sparingly: Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Myers, Cor'Dale Flott, Amani Hooker and Alontae Taylor, namely.

Side note: Simmons was dressed out and working on Thursday but was not participating in practice.

Running back Kalel Mullings is the lone second-year draftee who has seen his role reduced this offseason. Rookie Nick Singleton was added to an already crowded running back room back in April.

The early returns on this draft class have been positive as the summer program unfolds. They look physically more ready to contribute and are being given more chances to succeed. 

Certainly, Ward is the most critical but Saleh knows this group could go a long way in defining his first season in Nashville.

“Hopefully they take a big jump and find a way to grab the bull by the horns and take advantage of their opportunities.”

A note from PK

I underreported before commenting on the absences of Cor'Dale Flott and John Franklin Myers earlier this week. Apologies.

Flott had been seen working on the side at one open practice, and Saleh said he's been rehabbing an injury for the last few weeks.

Franklin-Myers has become a husband and a dad this offseason. I've learned he's been around quite a bit and has practiced some, but that has not coincided with the days that have been open to the media. 

Said Saleh on attendance desires: "It doesn't matter whether you're a first-year or a tenth-year, like being back in San Francisco last year, it is important for guys to be here. If you're here, you're getting better. It is impossible—and I've said this to a lot of guys -- it is impossible, no matter how hard you think you're working, to replicate the competitive strain and the work you get when you're competing against your own teammates.

So obviously, like any coach, I mean, if you talk to any coach in football, they'd tell you that they want 100 percent attendance. Obviously, the CBA limits us to being voluntary, and so we've got to respect that."