NASHVILLE – Bo Hardegree is the new offensive play-caller for the Titans.
Quarterback Cam Ward is just fine with that.
"I think it's going to be great," Ward said on Wednesday. "He understands the offense as a whole, he understands where my head is at, just what I see on the field. He has experience with the Raiders, and he has been around some great quarterbacks.
"But I just think the biggest thing about Bo is that he's going to put us all in a situation— especially today, just finally listening to him, say the play call, play call is just coming in, me thinking, watching more film with him just what he's thinking, then also Coach (Brian) Callahan having his input on it."
Callahan said on Tuesday he was handing off the play-calling duties to Hardegree.
Callahan served as the team's play-caller since taking over as head coach in 2024. Callahan said he'll still be involved in the process, but the change will give him more flexibility during the week and on game days.
Hardegree is in his second season with the Titans, and his 12th season coaching in the NFL. He was hired by Callahan and the Titans in 2024 after spending two seasons (2022-23) with the Las Vegas Raiders. A Tennessee native and University of Tennessee product, Hardegree arrived at the Titans with 16 total years of coaching experience.
Ward said his relationship with Hardegree has been good from the start.
"He's one of the first ones who hit me up in the pre-draft process," Ward said of Hardegree. "I talked to him, a lot of phone calls, a lot of installs with Bo throughout the pre-draft process, so I have a great relationship with him. I meet with him every day. He just knows where my mind is and how I feel space on the field. I just think he's going to be a good addition for us."
Hardegree served as interim offensive coordinator with the Raiders for the final nine games of 2023, when he called plays.
During the time Hardegree was offensive coordinator, fourth-round rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell started all nine games and went 5-4. His 1,905 passing yards during that stretch ranked second among all rookie quarterbacks, as did his 11 touchdown passes. O'Connell also posted the third-best passer rating (83.9) among all qualifying 2023 rookies.
The 2023 Raiders offense improved in most major offensive categories with Hardegree as offensive coordinator for the final nine games, including the following: yards per game (268.3 in Games 1-8 to 308.4 in Games 9-17), yards per play (4.6 to 5.1), passing yards per game (198.3 to 199.3), rushing yards per game (70.0 to 109.1), third-down percentage (32.6 to 37.8), red-zone percentage (44.0 to 54.5), points per game (15.8 to 22.9) and sacks allowed per game (2.8 to 2.0).
In three games with the Titans, Ward has completed 54-of-99 passes for 506 yards with two touchdowns, an interception, and a 71.4 rating.
Ward said the situation should prove to be a win-win.
"I don't think (play-calling) has been an issue," Ward said. "I think the biggest thing is that Coach Callahan just has so much to deal with and it's probably hard for him to give a play call. He's one of the best play callers out there. But he has a lot of important decisions to make for us to win games. And I just think him giving that up to Bo, right now, he thinks it's best for us, I think it is best for us as well. So whatever Coach agrees with, I'm going to go with."
