Saleh praised Ward’s intangibles, saying the quarterback arrives with “elite work ethic, elite character, an elite person,” and emphasized the importance of rebuilding fundamentals. “From everything that I’ve gathered… we’ve got a whole offseason to work with him, take him back to the very, very beginning, both on the field, off the field,” he said, highlighting a thorough, process-driven approach to preparation and playbook mastery.
The plan includes a full offseason to re-establish Ward’s routine, focusing on what it takes to be a professional—on and off the field—and to reform his game-planning habits ahead of his second NFL season. Saleh described the goal as returning Ward to the outset of his development, so he can build a strong foundation before 2026 begins.
Saleh also spoke at length about the franchise’s offensive direction under Brian Daboll, who was hired as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator with “complete autonomy” over game planning and scheme. The pair share a history of collaboration, and Saleh said Daboll is the right match to maximize Ward’s strengths as the Titans adjust their offense.
Daboll’s résumé is cited as a major selling point: he helped transform Josh Allen from a raw rookie into an MVP-caliber quarterback during his time with the Bills (2018–2021), including a 2020 season with 4,544 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. His background includes Alabama’s 2017 national championship run with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa, and a 26-year coaching career across five NFL franchises, with a modified Erhardt-Perkins system that fits Ward’s skill set. The Titans plan to leverage that system to accelerate Ward’s development into a more consistent pro quarterback.
