Titans coach Saleh: Ward played well; finishing problem persists
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, that quarterback Cam Ward played well in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns but that the club must address a recurring late-game issue to turn close contests into victories. Saleh spoke by Zoom a day after the defeat and also reviewed the Titans’ defensive struggles that allowed 491 yards to the Browns. The Titans will return to action this Sunday at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Saleh said Ward completed 20 of 31 passes for 181 yards with one touchdown and one interception and defended his starter against blame for the loss. He acknowledged Ward has things to correct but said the overall performance was a positive one in a game the team put itself in position to win. Saleh rejected the notion that Ward was solely responsible for the result and asked for a broader view of the film.
The coach said the Titans have a persistent “finishing problem,” pointing to four one-score defeats this season, including the losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns when the defense could not secure stops late. Saleh noted that flipping the outcomes in those tight games would change the club’s record dramatically, using a 1-4 mark in one-score contests as the basis for that assessment. He also noted Ward threw a game-ending interception in the end zone in the loss to the New York Giants earlier this season as an example of how small margins have mattered.
Saleh was critical of the defense after the Browns accumulated 491 yards, including 308 passing and 183 rushing yards. He singled out run defense, a lack of consistent pass rush and coverage that allowed too many explosive plays as areas that fell short on Sunday. He also said tackling was poor and that the unit did not have its best day, attributing the result in part to those collective breakdowns. The coach emphasized the need for improvement in multiple facets of defensive play.
On personnel, Saleh said cornerback Alontae Taylor was active for the Browns game but did not record a snap as the staff continues to work with him at nickel. Saleh explained the club used veteran running back Michael Carter over rookie Nick Singleton because Carter offers more reliable three-down value for protections and route-running on third downs; Carter played 16 snaps on offense and Singleton was inactive. The coach described Singleton as still growing in those aspects of the game while praising Carter’s readiness to handle varied responsibilities.
Saleh said the Titans did not yet have an update on punter Tommy Townsend, who left Sunday’s game with a knee injury and is still being evaluated. The coach indicated the staff will continue to monitor Townsend’s status as the team prepares for the trip to Cincinnati. He also reiterated the club’s focus on correcting the late-game issues that have cost them close contests so far this season.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Robert Saleh’s postgame assessment highlights two clear threads: Cam Ward has provided competent play under center, but the Titans repeatedly have failed to close out tight games, and the defense produced an uncharacteristically porous performance at multiple levels. The Browns’ 491 total yards underscore the urgency for improvements in run defense, pass rush and tackling if Tennessee wants to reverse its one-score fortunes. The coaching staff’s preference for Michael Carter over Nick Singleton in key situations indicates the club values reliable three-down capabilities while the rookie develops. With a short week leading into a game at Cincinnati, the Titans will need sharper defensive execution and cleaner late-game situational play to turn narrow losses into wins.