How One Of NFL’s Worst Teams Could Be ‘Next Year’s Version’ Of Patriots

The New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans are connected in more ways than one.

The most obvious link is Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who served in the role with the Titans for six seasons.

Tennessee quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree was New England’s offensive assistant during the 2021 campaign as well.

ESPN.com senior NFL writer Bill Barnwell explained on Thursday how the Titans (currently tied for the league’s worst record at 2-12) could be “next year’s version” of the Patriots.

“When I’ve talked to people around the league and asked them which team and which quarterback might profile as the 2026 version of the Patriots, the Titans have been the most frequent answer,” Barnwell wrote. “Cam Ward is last in the league in Total QBR, and he has struggled to generate consistent yardage, but there are signs of real promise in the first pick’s tape, even if those plays don’t always result in catches or conversions. Ward has a live arm, and he’s getting to the right answers more often as the season goes along.”

Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward has largely struggled this season, posting a 59.3% completion percentage with 11 touchdowns, seven interceptions and an NFL-high 49 sacks taken, but he’s gotten better as the campaign has gone on.

Ward has had just one interception in the last six games and is coming off one of the best games of his career in Week 15. The 23-year-old had his second straight contest with two touchdown passes and his performance in the loss vs. the San Francisco 49ers was his first game with multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions, while posting a career-high 101.2 passer rating.

Ward was the 2024 ACC Player of the Year and the No. 1 overall pick for a reason.

“There’s just not a lot around Ward. The Titans have the worst group of receivers in the NFL, and though they’ve spent a lot between draft capital and free agency on their offensive line, the players protecting Ward haven’t been great. Free agent additions like Calvin Ridley, Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler and draft picks like JC Latham and Tyjae Spears simply haven’t been good enough,” Barnwell said. “Of the 11 players who have suited up for at least 45% of the offensive snaps this season in New England alongside (Drake) Maye, seven were imported via free agency or the draft this offseason. The Titans might require that sort of flood of new talent to right the ship around Ward, especially at receiver, where they could credibly justify bringing in three new starters.”

To expect Ward to jump into the MVP conversation would be foolish, but it isn’t hard to imagine him making significant improvements in 2026.