The quarterback room in Nashville feels like a revolving door lately. If you've been trying to keep track of who's actually taking the snaps under center for the Tennessee Titans, nobody blames you for being a little confused. Between high-stakes draft picks, season-ending injuries, and a coaching carousel that just won't quit, it's been a wild ride at Nissan Stadium.
Right now, the Tennessee Titans starting QB is Cam Ward.
It’s been a baptism by fire for the kid. Coming in as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ward was essentially handed the keys to the franchise before he even moved into his Nashville apartment. The team basically moved on from the Will Levis era the second Ward's name was called on draft night. It wasn't exactly a smooth transition, but in the NFL, the "next big thing" usually gets the green light whether they're ready or not.
The Cam Ward Era Begins (With Some Growing Pains)
Honestly, Ward's rookie season in 2025 was a bit of a rollercoaster. You saw the flashes—the deep ball to Calvin Ridley, the ability to escape a collapsing pocket that would have buried most veterans. But the stats tell a tougher story. He finished the 2025 regular season with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
Those aren't exactly "Rookie of the Year" numbers, but they show a guy who isn't afraid to let it rip. The bigger issue? Fumbles. He put the ball on the turf 11 times. That’s the kind of stuff that keeps offensive coordinators awake at night.
The team struggled, finishing with a dismal 3-14 record. That record actually matches what they did in 2024, which led to some serious drama behind the scenes. Brian Callahan, the man brought in to fix the offense, didn't even make it through his second year. He was fired just five games into the 2025 season. When a team is that messy, it’s hard for any quarterback—let alone a rookie—to look like a superstar.
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What Happened to Will Levis?
You might be wondering where Will Levis went. The "Mayo Man" had a rough go of it. After a 2024 season that was, let's be real, pretty erratic, the writing was on the wall. The Titans snagged the top pick, and suddenly Levis was the odd man out.
Then came the injury. In July 2025, Levis suffered a significant shoulder injury that landed him on Injured Reserve (IR) for the entire season. He hasn't seen the field in a meaningful way for months. Despite that, GM Mike Borgonzi recently made some interesting comments. In early January 2026, he claimed that Levis still has a "role" on the 2026 roster.
Whether that’s a vote of confidence or just an attempt to keep his trade value from hitting zero is anyone's guess. Most insiders think he’s a prime candidate to be shipped off to a team like the Vikings or anyone else desperate for a high-upside backup.
The Current Depth Chart: Who Else is There?
Behind Ward, the situation is a bit thin. Brandon Allen has been the primary backup, providing that "boring but safe" veteran presence every young QB needs. He actually saw some action in the 2025 finale against the Jaguars after Ward went down with a shoulder injury of his own—an AC joint sprain.
Thankfully, the word is that Ward won't need surgery, which means he should be the undisputed starter heading into the 2026 program. Here is how the room looks as of early 2026:
- Cam Ward: The Starter. He's the future, for better or worse.
- Brandon Allen: The reliable vet. His contract status is a bit up in the air for the coming season, but he was the guy they trusted to finish the year.
- Will Levis: The Wildcard. Currently on the roster but effectively "on ice" while he recovers and the team weighs trade offers.
- Tim Boyle: Practice squad veteran who has bounced around the league and usually only sees the field in a true emergency.
Why the 2026 Season is the Real Test
The Titans are sitting on the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 draft. That is a massive asset. They probably aren't going to draft another quarterback—doing that back-to-back with top-five picks is a recipe for a franchise meltdown. Instead, the focus is likely on getting Ward some actual help.
Names like Xavier Restrepo are already in the mix. Restrepo was Ward's favorite target back at Miami, and the Titans signed him to a futures contract recently. It’s a smart move. If you want a young quarterback to succeed, you give him people he already trusts.
The defense was one of the worst in the league last year, so don't be surprised if that No. 4 pick goes toward a pass rusher or a shutdown corner. Ward can't win games if the other team is scoring 30 points every Sunday.
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Actionable Insights for Titans Fans
If you're following the team this offseason, keep your eyes on these three specific things:
- The Medical Reports: Watch the updates on Cam Ward’s shoulder. An AC joint sprain is usually a "rest and rehab" situation, but any setback in the spring could give Will Levis an opening to take first-team reps.
- The Trade Block: If the Titans manage to flip Levis for a fourth or fifth-round pick, it signals they are 100% committed to Ward without a safety net.
- The New Coaching Hire: The system Ward plays in next year will define his career. If they bring in a "quarterback whisperer" style coach, expect Ward's completion percentage to jump.
The Titans are in a classic rebuild. It’s painful, it’s messy, and it involves a lot of losing. But for now, Cam Ward is the guy. He’s got the talent; he just needs the team around him to stop tripping over its own feet.