The Tennessee Titans are trying to salvage their season after an 0-5 start.
Any number of contributions could help right the ship, but some players stand out due to their salaries, and the reasons Tennessee signed them.
From quarterback Cam Ward to left tackle Dan Moore Jr., here are five Titans underperforming based on their contracts.
Dan Moore Jr.
Offensive lineman
NFL seasons:
Six overall, second with TennesseeContract value: $82 million
Moore signed for $50 million guaranteed in 2025 as a blindside protector, prior to the Titans choosing Cam Ward as the No. 1 overall draft pick that spring. Moore’s contract value is fourth highest on the roster. That accounts for the criticism he received after allowing seven pressures against Houston in Week 5. That included a missed block
that went viral. Moore has allowed 15 pressures this season, seventh-most in the league among tackles.
John Franklin-Myers
Defensive line
NFL seasons: Eight overall, first in Tennessee
Contract value: $63 million
There are high hopes for Franklin-Myers, who signed as a free agent with Tennessee in July coming off a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2025 with the Denver Broncos. Franklin-Myers can still reach or surpass that mark, and he’s the NFL’s ninth highest graded defensive lineman against the run this season, according to Pro Football Focus. But the Titans, who rank 30th in the league with 28 pressures, need more from him. All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons draws a lot of attention, which should create even more disruption opportunities for Franklin-Myers. Franklin-Myers’ numbers can improve in that regard. He has seven pressures through five games, tied for 16th among defensive linemen.
Calvin Ridley
Wide receiver
NFL seasons: Eight overall, third with Tennessee
Contract value: $92 million
Signed to a four-year, $50 million guaranteed deal in 2024 for his dynamic playmaking, Ridley’s numbers have gone down each season after a promising 1,017 yards receiving and four TDs in 2024. He has five catches on eight targets for 81 yards and no scores through five games.
Alontae Taylor
Cornerback
NFL seasons: Five overall, first in Tennessee
Contract value: $58 million
Locals want to see the Coffee County High School graduate succeed. Taylor hasn’t been the Titans’ worst defender, but his play isn’t meeting the standard of his seventh-most valuable contract on the team. Taylor has no passes defended through five games. His coverage grade is 29.8, according to Pro Football Focus, after finishing last season with a respectable 66.8.
Cam Ward
Quarterback
NFL seasons: Second overall, second with Tennessee
Contract value: $48.8 million
There’s a fair discussion to be had about how much of the Titans’ problems are on Ward, the team’s eighth-highest paid player, but obvious improvements must be made for the player Tennessee trusted with their 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick. Compared to his first five games as a rookie, he has thrown for 17 more yards, has one more interception (3) and is completing 63.3% of his passes compared to 50.6% in 2025. Ward’s numbers place him among the NFL’s lowest-producing quarterbacks statistically. He is 3-19 as a starter and has thrown for three touchdowns in five games in 2026, to go with 896 yards passing.
Tyler Palmateer covers the Tennessee Titans for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 5 Tennessee Titans underperforming in 2026 include Cam Ward, Calvin Ridley
