Updated
Cam Ward is refusing to accept a losing mentality despite the Tennessee Titans falling to 0-5 after a 26-3 defeat to the Houston Texans as the rookie quarterback faced a blunt question from reporters about whether he had become accustomed to losing.
Houston earned its first victory of the season behind C.J. Stroud on October 11, who threw for 261 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score as the Texans forced two turnovers, and Will Anderson Jr. recorded three of their four sacks.
Cam Ward gets compared to Mahomes for his throws that make Shedeur look average
Tennessee managed just three points, failing to score a touchdown while finishing with only 187 total yards as Ward completed 23 passes for 170 yards and was sacked four times as the Texans controlled the contest on both sides of the ball, but the 24-year-old dismissed the question of being familiar with losing emphatically.
“No, I’m not a loser,” Ward said. “The record may say that we are that right now, but at the end of the day you have to go through some stuff to get wins. We attack this each and every day, but for that, no.
“If you’re able to look at everybody in our locker room’s track record, we all won games at a high level. We’re looking forward to doing that in the long run.”
Ward has completed 63.2% of his passes through five games, accumulating 896 passing yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. His season-low 12.8 QBR highlighted the difficulties he is experiencing as the Titans search for answers on offense.
Titans have little choice but to keep backing their quarterback
Ward's development has been complicated by instability around him as Tennessee dismissed Brian Callahan during the quarterback’s rookie season before hiring Saleh in the offseason, with Brian Daboll arriving as offensive coordinator.
But the changes have yet to produce the turnaround the franchise hoped for, and Sunday's defeat also extended Tennessee's losing streak to six games dating back to last season, while the Titans have now lost 11 consecutive AFC South contests.
Houston took control early on via a field goal from Tennessee, recovering a Tyjae Spears fumble before Jake Hansen intercepted Ward, and the Texans dominated thereafter, outgaining the Titans 225-49 and scoring 16 unanswered points to put the game beyond reach.
There is still time for Ward to improve, and five games alone do not determine whether a young quarterback can succeed, and he will be grateful to have the backing of his head coach.
“Cam’s our starting quarterback,” Saleh said. “We’re going to give him every opportunity to be successful this year, and we’re going to continue working with him, grinding with him and trying to help him get better.”