We’re barely 48 hours into training camp, and already the Tennessee Titans have hit the panic button. After Lorenzo Carter abruptly retired before even taking a snap, the team wasted little time filling the hole by signing another former New York Giants journeyman familiar with the bottom of the depth chart.
Former G-Men linebacker Jihad Ward is officially headed to Nashville, as reported by Jordan Schultz.
Sources: The #Titans are signing former #Vikings LB Jihad Ward.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 24, 2025
Ward played in all 17 games last season with Minnesota and has 19 career sacks. pic.twitter.com/xADSl9Pzxf
Ward appeared in all 17 games for the Vikings last season, but the production was minimal—just one sack and ten tackles, with a run defense grade that left plenty to be desired. Tennessee likely didn’t view Carter as a game-changer, and the same should apply to Ward. Still, they needed a body, and Ward was available.
It’s not all that surprising Ward was still on the market this late into the offseason. The soon-to-be 10-year vet has been with a handful of teams — Oakland, Indy, Baltimore, Jacksonville, New York, Minnesota, and now Tennessee. At this point in his career, he’s a depth option. A rotational guy. Someone you add when you need experience and don’t see a better fit on hand.
Titans end up with Jihad Ward after Lorenzo Carter calls it a career
That’s not to say Ward hasn’t had moments. Giants fans saw him find his groove a bit in 2022 under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, and he followed it up with a career-high five sacks in 2023. He was durable, disruptive enough, and brought the kind of edge presence that holds value when injuries hit. But even that version of Ward wasn’t built to be a long-term answer.
However, his impact might be best felt in the locker room. He was well-known for his charisma and energy with the Giants, something that on-field stats won't show.
The Titans are just trying to get through camp. Ward fits what they need: cheap depth with some experience and enough size to eat a few early downs if called upon. That’s about where expectations should stop. He’s not fixing their pass-rushing problem, and the drop-off from Carter — who wasn’t exactly a game-changer himself — is marginal at best.
Maybe Ward's good-vibes presence and leadership win out. At this stage in his career, just making the roster would be a win.