Tennessee Titans Head coach Robert Saleh challenged his young quarterback to be better Sunday after making a critical mistake late against the New York Giants.
The Titans were on the brink of a game-winning touchdown with less than 30 seconds left inside MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ Cam Ward and the Tennessee offense was eight yards out of the end zone with a new set of downs left at 12-7.
Facing 1st-and-goal, Ward was flushed in the pocket and picked off by safety Jevon Holland, who made a leaping interception in the end zone.
CAM WARD PICKOFF AT ENDZONE 😳
THE GIANTS WON
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/2dEmOq5fRY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 27, 2026
Saleh was asked if Ward would be better off trying to beat Giants linebacker Arvell Reese with his feet. The veteran coach implored his young QB to make better decisions based on the situation.
“Just be smarter in football,” Saleh said. “We had two timeouts left. It was 1st-and-goal at the 8. We were going to score. You don’t have to force it in that situation, and unfortunately, it did.”
Despite his blunt assessment, Saleh stood next to Ward as the Titans’ starting QB.
Ward went 23/36 for 181 yards, a touchdown, and the interception that gave the Titans their first win of the season. Tennessee fell to 0-3 as a result.
Saleh wasn’t afraid to be critical of Ward during their first year together. After the Titans’ Week 1 loss to the New York JetsSaleh said Ward “is on the floor of what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.”
Ward has lived up to his words before, but has yet to prove his coach wrong with his play on the field.