Given the media blackouts and no primetime games for the Tennessee Titans in 2025, you would be forgiven if you looked at the team's identical records from 2024 and 2025 and assumed that they hadn't gotten any better.
However, the team was much stronger in certain areas, and that includes quarterback, where Cam Ward finished his rookie season strong. That positive momentum has been enough to intrigue several different coaching candidates around the NFL, according to insiders.
John Harbaugh was the biggest name on the market, and he allegedly had the Titans in his top three before taking the New York Giants' job. Nonetheless, Ward has been mentioned several times when insiders explain his interest in the Titans' job.
Presence of Titans QB Cam Ward having a positive impact on the team's head coaching search
Another very popular candidate is former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Local reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala has a good relationship with Stefanski and was quick to point out how well he would mesh with Ward, even before a coaching interview was set up. Not only that, but it is common knowledge now that the Browns were poised to draft Ward last season if the Titans passed on him.
Kevin Stefanski is sincerely one of the best humans I have ever dealt with in this business. Whatever organization gets him will love his steady and level leadership. And FWIW… I think he and Cam Ward would be an ideal personality fit. 😉 pic.twitter.com/0dJzb3aFsy
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 5, 2026
Then there are people like Brian Daboll who are going to be interviewed for head coaching jobs, but who are more than likely to be hot names when it comes to hiring coordinators. The tweet below from Ryan Dunleavy reminds us that the Giants desperately wanted to trade up to draft Ward last year, and that could be a selling point that helps the Titans land an elite coaching staff.
Brian Daboll could get a shot at coaching Cam Ward, who #Giants tried trading up for before Jaxson Dart https://t.co/RjjhzrGwK9
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) January 13, 2026
Even though the wins and losses were identical between 2024 and 2025, the buzz around the franchise couldn't be more different. After 2024, they were directionless and looked to be in a downward spiral that they wouldn't be able to bounce back from for years. Now, they are an appealing option to the biggest names on the coaching market.
Some of the appeal has to do with Jeffery Simmons having a year that should put him in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year (behind Myles Garrett, obviously). There is also the benefit of having more money than anyone else in 2026, a top-5 pick, and three more premium picks after that.
However, none of that would matter if the Titans didn't have a young quarterback in place. Ward's contract allows the Titans to be aggressive in free agency if they want to be. Also, by having the quarterback in place, the franchise doesn't have to spend its first-round pick on a quarterback this year, like the Browns or Las Vegas Raiders likely will.
It all starts with Ward's success, and even though fans are frustrated because they want to win games, the NFL is telling you that they view his rookie season as a success and a solid foundation to build on immediately.