Cam Ward has had a meteoric rise from a zero-star recruit to becoming the starting quarterback for one of college football's premier programs. He outperformed expectations so much that he became the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
Using the top pick to add a quarterback is a major decision. A team is investing a lot in somebody who not only needs to be a great player, but also somebody who can be the face of a multi-billion-dollar franchise.
Even with that in mind, the Titans zeroed in on Ward early on and didn't appear to waver once they decided they'd select him.
According to one NFL executive, Ward made the decision easy for the Titans once the pre-draft process started.
"People had some questions about [Ward] coming into the process, and I feel like he did a good job answering them," the AFC executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "The Titans had far less doubts by the end of the process than they did to start."
Ward is very physically gifted, so that was never a concern with him. He's got good size, a huge arm and is plenty athletic. That's not what set him apart, however.
His ability to command a room and prove that he has what it takes to improve is why he was the first player taken in the draft. The Titans have failed to find a long-term option at quarterback for a long time, but Ward is looking like the real deal early on.
Cam Ward Can Turn Things Around For Titans
The Tennessee Titans are hoping to have a strong start to the Cam Ward era in Nashville.
Ward was chosen with the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft to be the new franchise quarterback for the Titans, and there is reason to believe he can be part of the culture change for the team.
Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine believes Ward could make some immediate changes for the Titans in his rookie season.
"There's no way around it. The Titans offense was a mess last season. It was 30th in EPA per play, Will Levis was making ludicrous decisions under pressure and the offensive line gave up a lot of pressures," Ballentine wrote.
"Fortunately for the coaching staff and front office, drafting Cam Ward resets the clock for the unit. Brian Callahan and Ward don't have to drive a one-year turnaround like Jayden Daniels last season, the Titans just need to be a respectable NFL offense."
"That would also mean Dan Moore Jr. proves to be a good signing at left tackle, Tyler Lockett has enough in the tank to help the receiver corps, and the run game is rejuvenated."
The Titans know things weren't great last year, and they are doing everything they can to ensure there will be different results in 2025. These changes won't guarantee that things will be different, but Tennessee is giving itself a chance to make things better in hopes of getting out of last place in the AFC South.
Ward is working hard throughout the offseason to prepare himself for the job ahead, and the hope is that he can take the Titans and immediately rejuvenate the franchise with his play right away.
However, he first has to earn the starting job in a competiiton with incumbent quarterback Will Levis.
