Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward played his worst game of the season in Sunday's embarrassing 25-3 Week 13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ward completed 24-of-38 passing attempts for 141 yards with zero touchdowns or turnovers. It wasn't a turnover-riddled disaster, but it was boring and inefficient.
For the majority of the campaign, Ward's head coaches, Brian Callahan and current interim Mike McCoy included, have been encouraging the experienced quarterback to take what the defense gives him. Ward has a penchant for chasing the big play, as proven by highlight-reel throws he's made throughout the season. A totally different version of quarterback took the field on Sunday.
Ward was inaccurate and indecisive with sloppy mechanics. Most notably of all, he refused to take downfield shots, seemingly abandoning what made him an exciting No. 1 overall pick. Instead of trying to change Ward, McCoy and the Titans coaching staff should embrace what makes him special.
Titans rookie QB Cam Ward is trending in the wrong direction
Throughout the early portion of the campaign, Ward was too aggressive when chasing explosive plays. The former Miami standout often ignored underneath receiving options. Against the Jaguars, the pendulum swung too far in the opposite direction. Ward played like someone who's had "take what the defense gives you" drilled into his mind.
Ward played an unrecognizable conservative brand of football. His 3.7 yards per attempt was easily the lowest output of his rookie campaign. His YPA hadn't even been in the "4's" since the first month of the campaign.
The Titans' longest play gained 16 yards. No pass catcher reached 30 receiving yards and a touchdown was not scored. Ward's completion percentage over expected (CPOE) was -3.3%, per Next Gen Stats.
Ward didn't attempt a single pass that traveled 30 air distance yards. The Titans offense was constricted to the mundane. It was also totally unwatchable.
Ward is occasionally an agent of chaos at quarterback. He goes big-play hunting, sometimes leading to his unthinkable first career touchdown, or the completion to Xavier Restrepo against the Seattle Seahawks just two weeks ago. Ward must walk a fine line between aggression and conservativeness to truly thrive in the NFL.
He hasn't found that balance yet.