The Tennessee Titans seemingly found their long-term solution at quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft when they selected Miami's Cam Ward. After two below-average campaigns from 2023 second-round pick Will Levis, the team needed an upgrade.
Last season, the Titans were only able to muster three wins with Levis under center, so they utilized the No. 1 overall pick on who many thought would be his replacement. However, Titans head coach Brian Callahan is yet to name a starter during Phase 3 of the team's offseason program.
While most expect Ward to be under center in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, nothing has been made official yet by the team's leadership.
Conventional wisdom would say that if a team intends to start a rookie quarterback, then they should be giving the young player as many reps as possible with the first team. However, Callahan provided an explanation for why Ward has not been named the Titans' starter yet.
"I'm not going to sit up here and give you guys weekly and daily updates as to who takes reps when right now," Callahan said. "There's a whole lot of rotation going on at all positions. There's guys that you might see out there with the ones or with the twos. It's really irrelevant at this point. All guys are rotating. They're all going through the process. There is no ones, twos, starters or not."
Tennessee still has time to work out the kinks before they kickoff against the Broncos. However, every rep is sacred for a potential franchise player like Ward, and ideally, coach Callahan is making the most of this time.
Why Cam Ward and Will Levis' division of labor is currently irrelevant to the Titans
When quarterback Cam Ward was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick many immediately jumped to the conclusion that Ward would be named the starter immediately over incumbent Will Levis. The Tennessee Titans opted not to take that approach.
With Phase 3 of the offseason program ongoing, coach Brian Callahan does not think his quarterbacks' division of labor is relevant...yet.
Cam Ward and Will Levis currently in Titans QB competition
Callahan is in absolutely no hurry to name Ward, or anyone else, as QB1 in Tennessee.
"Right now, there's a whole lot of rotation going on at all positions," Callahan said on Wednesday. "There's guys that you might see out there with the 'ones' or with the 'twos.' Its really irrelevant at this point in time. All guys are rotating, they're all going through the process. There is no 'ones,' 'twos,' starters, not. All the stuff that you see is going to be a rotation. Whatever you see today might be different tomorrow."
During OTAs and the rest of voluntary work, this is a completely acceptable approach.
Titans mandatory minicamp is still several weeks off, taking place in Nashville on June 10-12. By that time, Callahan and his staff should have a more definitive approach for the quarterback position at minimum. Ward will, eventually, become the undisputed leader of this team and delaying that message to the team any longer than necessary serves no one.
Ward and Levis both handled the questions in-stride after their first practice together that was open for media.
"Just getting a lot of mental reps," said Ward. "Whether Will's up, B(randon)A(llen) or Tim (Boyle) is up, just going through it in my head. The formations, the play-call, the motions if we have one. Just really getting an understanding of the full offense.
