NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) \u2014 Rookie Cam Ward talked more than a couple of times about valuing stability in working with Tennessee coach Brian Callahan.<\/p>\n
Now Callahan’s gone, fired just six games<\/a> into the No. 1 overall pick’s<\/a> NFL career. The quarterback who played at three different colleges before coming to the Titans is adapting quickly.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve dealt with coaching changes at really every stop I\u2019ve had in my past,” Ward said Wednesday. “The biggest thing is we\u2019re trying to score points as an offense. Our defense, they\u2019re playing hard for us each and every game.\u201d<\/p>\n The lack of improvement on offense with Ward helped cost Callahan his job Monday with a 4-19 overall record and a 1-5 start this season.<\/p>\n Ward, the first rookie in franchise history to start the first six games, completed a season-high 26 passes for a 68.4 percent completion rate in last week’s 20-10 loss<\/a> to the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But Tennessee ranks last in the NFL in total offense and 31st in both rushing and passing yards per game. Four of the Titans\u2019 losses have been by 10 or more points, and some of the yards they\u2019ve managed on offense have come too late to help.<\/p>\n They struggle to stay on the field, ranking last converting only 28.05% of third downs. They’re also last in first downs per game.<\/p>\n Left guard Peter Skoronski, the 11th pick overall in 2023, said he doesn\u2019t make the decisions when asked if it was time for a change.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cObviously things were not working for us offensively, and so I think that change is not a bad thing,\u201d Skoronski said.<\/p>\n Ward is the player drafted to help this franchise rebuild. The rookie ranks 30th in the league in passer rating (67.3), 22nd with 1,101 yards and is tied for 33rd with just three touchdown passes.<\/p>\n Interim coach Mike McCoy,<\/a> in his 23rd year in the NFL and a former head coach of the San Diego Chargers, said the coaches will be \u201cbrutally honest\u201d with the Titans and hold them all accountable.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree will continue calling the offensive plays. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan is the other on-field coach gone after his son was fired.<\/p>\n McCoy also has talked a handful of times with Ward over the past couple of days. McCoy says quarterback is the hardest position to play in this league, and his message has been for the rookie to keep plugging away.<\/p>\n \u201cCam has a burning desire to be great, a burning desire to be great,\u201d McCoy said. \u201cAnd the key thing I always tell him, \u2018Just trust the system and go out there and be you. Have fun. Be Cam.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The first test of how these changes affect Ward and the offense comes Sunday. The Titans host former Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel and his New England Patriots (4-2).<\/p>\n McCoy’s guiding principle of focusing on players and not plays should give the Titans a chance to put Ward in position to perform. Ward knows McCoy has worked with quarterbacks such as Philip Rivers, and the rookie is looking to play more freely from the play call coming in, breaking the huddle to executing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest thing is just, you know, me being better every play,\u201d Ward said. “I haven\u2019t played my best ball. And I think just once I\u2019m playing to my standards that I put on myself, we\u2019ll be able to take care of a lot of stuff on offense.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Injury update<\/p>\n NT T’Vondre Sweat had his window opened to return from injured reserve and was limited in practice Wednesday. OLB Arden Key (quadricep muscle) did not practice with DT Jeffery Simmons, WR Tyler Lockett and RG Kevin Zeitler given the day off for rest.<\/p>\n K Joey Slye, who missed last week’s game,<\/a> was limited as he tries to return from his injured right calf.<\/p>\n CB L’Jarius Sneed (quadricep) and WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring) also did not practice.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n